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Parents plead not guilty in co-sleeping death of Moline baby

The parents of a baby that died while sleeping with them have pleaded not guilty to charges filed against them.

The parents of a baby that died while sleeping with them have pleaded not guilty to charges filed against them.

Four-month-old Anterio Schlieper was discovered not breathing in the home of his family in Moline on June 10, 2014. His parents, Terri Wells and Anthony Schlieper, were accused of going to bed intoxicated and rolling over on the baby, causing Anterio to suffocate.

During their preliminary hearing on Tuesday, Schlieper wore a T-shirt with Anterio's picture on the front and R.I.P. Anterio on the back.

The couple is charged with endangerment of a child, a class 3 felony which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

"This is a very serious matter," said Rock Island County State's Attorney John McGehee. "I'm taking this case very serious. We have the death of a child and we have allegations of intoxication as well as marijuana."

Wells and Schlieper were each appointed separate public defenders who accompanied them when they entered their pleas Tuesday, August 12, 2014 in Rock Island County District Court. While the couple has separate public defenders, McGehee said both will likely be tried together.

Court records showed the couple was next scheduled to appear in court September 12, 2014 and their trials were set for September 29.

Wells and Schlieper each remained free on bond.

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