Hearing delayed for 1 of 2 brothers in drug case

A change-of-plea hearing in Fargo, N.D., for one of two brothers charged in a conspiracy to deal large quantities of methamphetamine was postponed after the defendant asked for more time to think about the deal.

David Cerna is charged in federal court with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was scheduled to change his plea to guilty Tuesday in Fargo. However, Cerna told U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson that he felt pressured to decide on the plea and said he's struggling with the decision.

Erickson postponed the hearing until later in the week.

Cerna's brother, Juan, pleaded guilty earlier Tuesday to a drug conspiracy charge. He faces life in prison.

Authorities say the conspiracy moved meth from Texas to North Dakota and Minnesota.

Day-care provider pleads guilty to child neglect

A day-care provider has pleaded guilty to child neglect after a toddler in her care wandered onto a nearby highway.

Carrie Richardson, 56, of Sandstone, Minn., entered her plea to the gross misdemeanor last week in Pine County court. Under a plea deal, a gross misdemeanor count of child endangerment against Richardson is expected to be dismissed.

The criminal complaint alleges that Richardson was intoxicated while caring for 10 children at her Sandstone home. A nearly 2-year-old girl left an outside play area on June 12 and walked down the centerline of Hwy. 23.

WCCO-TV reported that Richardson's day-care license is suspended.

Chase suspect hospitalized for hypothermia

A 45-year-old man was hospitalized for hypothermia after running and swimming away from deputies near Garrison, Minn.

Crow Wing County sheriff's officials say deputies were called Monday on a burglary report. While investigating, a deputy found a suspicious vehicle. After a short chase, the suspect crashed in the yard of a home. The suspect then fled into the woods, the Sheriff's Office said. A K-9 unit and deputies tracked the man, who swam across a body of water and ran through a swamp and woods.

Deputies later were dispatched on a report of a prowler trying to break into a home south of Garrison. The man was arrested in a swamp near the home and taken to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis for treatment for exposure.

Associated Press