Nampa, Idaho — Sentencing for a mother who pleaded guilty to multiple felonies regarding the death of her newborn son has been postponed as a new attorney prepares to take over her defense. Allysen Armenta, 28, is facing serious charges linked to the suffocation death of her 12-day-old son, Benjamin, after a judge allowed her previous lawyer to withdraw from the case.
Armenta was originally set to be sentenced after pleading guilty to felony injury to a child and entering Alford pleas to two counts related to evidence tampering. Under these pleas, she maintains that while she does not admit guilt, the prosecution has sufficient evidence for a conviction. However, the court will now first hold a status conference scheduled for October 1 to confirm the appointment of new legal counsel and decide on the next steps in the proceedings.
The complications in Armenta’s case began to surface during her plea hearing on July 30. That session was intended to finalize a plea deal but was interrupted due to a legal issue that required additional consideration by both sides. When she returned to court in August, the terms of the agreement had changed, resulting in her pleading guilty to felony injury to a child, while charges related to obstructing an officer were dismissed.
Benjamin died on December 16, 2025, from suffocation, which was ruled an accidental death by the Canyon County Coroner’s Office. This tragic incident occurred while the infant was sleeping in a travel trailer with Armenta and his father, Brian Lemke. Key details about the case, including the circumstances surrounding Benjamin’s death and the subsequent actions taken by the parents, have led to scrutiny from prosecutors.
Following the infant’s death, authorities discovered that his body had been moved from the trailer to the main residence before emergency services were called. This action compromised the original crime scene, raising significant concerns regarding the parents’ decision to delay the reporting of the death. Lemke later admitted to moving Benjamin and making a 911 call approximately four hours after the death occurred. Testimonies revealed that Armenta had remained in the trailer, delaying her interaction with emergency personnel upon their arrival, which further aggravated the allegations against her.
Benjamin’s death was preceded by warnings concerning the living conditions of the family, which had already attracted the attention of Child Protective Services. Just days before the tragedy, the agency had sought assistance from local law enforcement to locate the family for a welfare check, indicating prior concerns regarding the environment in which the newborn was living. Armenta and Lemke, who had previous child welfare issues, faced mounting pressure as Benjamin’s death triggered discussions around Idaho’s child protection policies, leading to proposed legislative changes aimed at enhancing safety protocols for vulnerable infants.
In a separate legal outcome, Lemke was sentenced in July to a term of up to 15 years in prison for his charges, including failure to report a death. His sentencing emphasized accountability for delaying notification rather than being labeled as homicide, an important distinction that further complicates Armenta’s situation as she faces her own sentencing.
As Armenta’s case continues, the appointment of a new attorney opens a new chapter in her legal battle. Her three felony pleas will remain intact while the court evaluates the way forward. The upcoming status conference represents a crucial moment for Armenta as the legal ramifications of her pleas and the events surrounding her son’s death linger in the community’s attention.