CCSO release – Date / Time: January 5, 2024; Classification: Manslaughter II; January 22nd; Suspect(s): Hayley R. Steele (28); Hayley R. Steele pleads guilty to Manslaughter II with respect to the Baby Owen case. On January 5th, 2024, Hayley R. Steele (28) appeared in Circuit Court in Coquille to accept a plea of Guilty to Manslaughter II in the Baby Owen case. District Attorney Paul Frasier offered the plea to Mrs. Steele and her attorney after consulting the victim’s family, who supported the offer. This has been an exhaustive and emotional case, and all involved are to be commended on their efforts to bring this case to resolution, including the victim’s family, Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Major Crimes Team (Multi-Agency Team of investigators), and the Coos County District Attorney’s Office. We hope this resolution will allow the family the opportunity to begin the healing process, although we know this process will never be fully complete. Mrs. Steele is currently out on security, pending sentencing on January 22nd, 2024.
