CREEK COUNTY, Okla. - An Oklahoma woman who admitted using methamphetamine throughout her pregnancy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after her one-day-old son died with meth in his system.

Kala Matney pleaded guilty to child neglect in connection with the November 2022 death of her newborn son, Casen Bennett. A second-degree murder charge against Matney was dismissed as part of the case.

A judge sentenced Matney to 40 years, with 20 years to be served in prison and the remaining 20 years suspended.

The child neglect conviction is subject to Oklahoma's 85% rule, requiring Matney to serve at least 85% of the prison portion of her sentence before becoming eligible for consideration for early release. She will receive credit for time spent in jail since December 2024.

Baby Died One Day After Birth

According to the probable cause affidavit, Matney gave birth to Casen in November 2022. The newborn was admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit but died one day after he was born.

Investigators said neither Matney nor Casen's father visited the newborn while he was hospitalized. Hospital employees were also reportedly unable to reach either parent after Casen died.

In July 2023, the medical examiner determined Casen's cause of death was prenatal methamphetamine exposure. His manner of death was classified as accidental.

According to the affidavit, the medical examiner's testing showed Casen still had methamphetamine in his system at the time of his autopsy.

Mother Admitted Using Meth During Pregnancy

Investigators said Matney received no prenatal medical care during her pregnancy.

She later admitted using methamphetamine numerous times while pregnant, according to the affidavit, including shortly before she gave birth to Casen.

The case received additional scrutiny in March 2024, when the district attorney's office asked deputies to further investigate the baby's death.

Investigators subsequently obtained a search warrant for Matney's Facebook account.

According to the affidavit, the records uncovered numerous messages indicating Matney was purchasing methamphetamine online while pregnant. Those messages were discovered during the investigation in August 2024.

Eight Other Children Previously Removed

Authorities said Matney previously had eight other children removed from her care because of drug use.

Five of those children currently live with their fathers.

Matney's parental rights were terminated for the other three children, who were subsequently adopted.

Separate Drug Case Results in Five-Year Sentence

While the case involving Casen's death was pending, Matney faced another criminal case.

In February 2025, she was charged in a separate case involving possession of drugs with intent to distribute.

Matney received a five-year sentence in that case.

That sentence will run concurrently with her 20-year prison sentence in the child neglect case, meaning the sentences will be served at the same time.