LOGAN — The case against a 35-year-old Logan woman accused of starving her infant son to death has been dropped. Jodi Lee Anderson is in the Utah State Hospital after she was determined to be incompetent to stand trial in September 2023.
A review hearing on Anderson’s competency was held Oct. 21, in Logan’s 1st District Court. She was previously charged with aggravated murder, a capital offense; and, obstructing justice, a second-degree felony.
According to court records, defense attorney Jeanne Campbell said psychologists had reported that Anderson still remains unable to understand the charges against her. They determined, she had an intellectual deficiency that could limit her ability to defend herself in court. The doctor’s reported that despite more than a year of treatment, her competency could not be restored.
Attorney Ronnie Keller said that in light of the doctor’s findings, prosecutors were filing a motion to dismiss the charges without prejudice. The case could be refiled if circumstances change.
On December 31, 2021, Logan City Police officers were called to a hotel room. Anderson and Zachary Michael Woirhaye had been residing at the hotel for several weeks. A 46-day-old infant boy was found lying on a bed, unresponsive, not breathing and with no heartbeat.
Paramedics revived the child, transported the baby to Logan Regional Hospital and later to Primary Children’s Hospital. Medical staff said the boy was unhealthy and showed signs of malnourishment and neglect. He died two weeks later.
Police later interviewed extended family members, who expressed concerns about both Woirhaye and Anderson’s mental capacity. They reported the mother and father had to be continually reminded about feeding the baby enough baby formula.
Woirhaye previously pleaded guilty to one count of child abuse homicide, a second-degree felony. He is currently serving a sentence of one-to-15-years in the Utah State Correctional Facility.
During the Oct. 21 hearing, Judge Walsh granted prosecutor’s motion to dismiss the case against Anderson without prejudice.