A former KOLD 13 crime reporter and his journalist wife pled guilty to a misdemeanor endangerment charges.
Both Som and Krystin Lisaius had previously pled not guilty to charges of possession of a dangerous drug, drug paraphernalia and child abuse after being
indicted on June 9.
The couple will have a sentencing hearing on Oct. 3.
Trouble first began for the couple around 11 a.m. Sunday, May 15, when the couple took their 4-month-old child to the Oro Valley Hospital, fearing for her wellbeing. After the infant girl was evaluated by hospital staff, the couple refused to allow nurses to perform a blood draw on the child. Sometime later, the parents left with the child against medical advice but agreed to have her transferred to Banner University Medical Center for further evaluation.
Cocaine was eventually found in the child’s system, and both parents admitted to having used the drug just the previous night at a barbecue they were hosting at their home. Krystin Lisaius also admitted to a UMC social worker to recently breastfeeding the child and both parents later tested positive for the drug.
During the course of investigation, Som Lisaius told Oro Valley Police Department detectives that evening that he and his wife hosted a barbecue at their home for a birthday celebration, including family and friends. Som Lisaius eventually admitted that he used cocaine that night, and also used the drug “every six weeks or so.” He also said that he has witnessed his wife using cocaine since having their child.
After being indicted on June 9, both Som and Krystin plead not guilty on June 27. The plea agreement would result in other charges being dropped. The charge is a felony but can be designated as a misdemeanor after time served.
According to the couple’s attorney, Michael Piccarreta, the child was placed with her maternal grandmother by the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
Som Lisaius first joined to Tucson reporting scene in 2000 after having worked in Michigan and attending Alma College for a bachelor’s degree in English and Boston University for a master’s degree in broadcast journalism.
Krystin Lisaius attended Pima Community College before receiving a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and met her husband when she was brought on as an intern into the KOLD newsroom in 2012.
Editor's Note: this story has been updated since its original publication.