Meredith Nicole Deen, 20, said, “Why don’t you die? Why are you still alive?” while sitting on her 4-month-old daughter in hopes of killing the infant.
Deen had reportedly covered the infant with several blankets and pillows before sitting on her. She has been charged with felony attempted capital murder.
Court records obtained by KTRK indicate Deen’s boyfriend witnessed her punch the 4-month-old shortly before she tried to smother the infant. The boyfriend also said Deen allegedly told him she wanted to throw her daughter against the wall.
The incident came to light when the girl showed up at daycare the next day, reportedly trembling. Sheriff’s deputies were called and the infant was taken to a hospital where doctors found no serious injuries.
Deen allegedly admitted to trying to smother the girl once before. She said she was mad that her mother would not take care of the infant.
Deen expressed remorse for her actions while being interviewed by investigators, KTRK reported.
Texas mom accused of trying to kill 4-month-old daughter by sitting on her
Police in the Houston area say a mother sat on her 4-month-old daughter in hopes of killing the infant. TV station KTRK reports the mom, identified as Meredith Nicole Deen, 20, said, "Why don't you…
www.goerie.com
Court documents stated the woman's live-in boyfriend witnessed Deen punch the baby before trying to smother the infant.
Authorities said the boyfriend had to pull the mother off the girl when he was awakened by the baby's crying.
Documents went on to state that Deen attacked her boyfriend the next day when they were on their way to drop off the child at daycare, where workers later noticed the child trembling and shaking.
"Once they informed me they were on their way to our location, I decided to call the cops so they could interfere with the mother here and whatever had happened at her house," said daycare manager Amy Ray.
Ray said everyone at the daycare was concerned about the baby and the mother's health.
The boyfriend informed staff of what happened the day before, prompting employees to contact Harris County deputies.
"It's scary because it's not common to have EMS and cops all around our building," recalled Ray. "But we definitely just want the child to be protected."
The baby was taken to Texas Children's Hospital in The Woodlands, where a doctor found no sign of injuries.
Deputies stated Deen was sent to the Harris Center for a mental evaluation after threatening harm to herself.
While at the Harris Center, deputies interviewed the woman, who said she became upset earlier in the week when her mom refused to care for the baby.
She also told them that she had tried smothering the child with a pillow a first time, holding it over the baby for around 30 seconds.
It was during a second attempt that her boyfriend stopped her.
Deen stated she was sorry for hurting her child.
'Why don't you die?' Mom accused of sitting on top of 4-month-old
The 20-year-old mother is also accused of hitting her child before trying to smother the baby, documents state.
6abc.com
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