An Ankeny mother whose baby died last year of asphyxia after becoming wedged between a bed and a wall has been sentenced to two years probation and has the chance of removing a drug charge from her criminal record.

Michelle Atwell, 33, received the sentence Monday in Polk County District Court. She pleaded guilty in July to possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Polk County District Court Judge Jeffrey Farrell granted Atwell a deferred judgment, meaning that if she completes her probation successfully, the conviction will be removed from her criminal record. She was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, plus court costs and surcharges.

"I know it doesn't define me," Atwell said at the sentencing, stating her desire to reapply for her nursing license, which was suspended following her arrest in November.

Atwell and Matthew Cohara, 48, of Ankeny, were arrested after their 7-month-old daughter died of "positional asphyxia," according to the Iowa Medical Examiner's Office. The infant also tested positive for cocaine metabolite, a breakdown product of cocaine.

Atwell had been charged with child endangerment causing substantial risk, narcotics possession with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana and several other drug charges. Those charges were dismissed in exchange for her guilty plea to the drug possession charge.

Ankeny police were called to a home on Southwest Lesina Lane on Aug. 26, 2017, regarding an infant who was not breathing. The girl, Harper Dawn Cohara, was brought to a local hospital that night.

Atwell told officers she drank two bottles of beer, smoked marijuana out of an apple and did a line and a half of cocaine in their bathroom around 7 p.m. Aug. 25, according to court documents.

At around 4:30 a.m., Atwell heard her daughter crying and woke up to nurse her. After her daughter fell asleep, she returned to her bedroom, according to court documents. About five hours later, after Cohara asked her where their daughter was, Atwell saw that only the top of the baby's head was visible and that she was wedged between a wall and the mattress. She began performing CPR and called 911.

Assistant Polk County Attorney Nan Horvat said at the sentencing that she considers Atwell to be a suitable candidate for probation and a deferred judgment since she has participated in substance abuse treatment and remained drug-free.

Atwell's attorney, Tomas Rodriguez, said at the hearing that Atwell had taken "significant steps to change her lifestyle" since her daughter's death.

Farrell said the fact that Atwell has no prior criminal history is "significant" and the fact that she has had no issues in the last year and that she has followed the rules set out for her while on pretrial release is "a good sign." He said he was also encouraged by the fact that her employer kept her on in a different role after her nursing license was suspended and that the quality of her work remained consistent.

Cohara was charged with child endangerment causing no injury, and possession of marijuana and cocaine. He pleaded guilty to all three charges and using drugs in the presence of his infant child in February. He also received a deferred judgment and was ordered to pay a $625 fine plus surcharges.

A court order remains in effect, allowing Atwell to have contact with her two other children as long as she is supervised by another adult.