LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) Authorities say a Las Cruces woman is accused in the death of her infant daughter. Las Cruces police say 33-year-old Annette Smith is being held on suspicion of intentional child abuse resulting in death and tampering with evidence.
Police were dispatched to a report of CPR being performed on a 7-month-old girl inside an apartment about 7 a.m. Wednesday. They say Shania Smith was rushed to Memorial Medical Center, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Detectives say Annette Smith allegedly covered her baby daughter in several layers of blankets Tuesday evening to avoid hearing her cry. Police say the apartment's air conditioner was believed to be inoperable or not turned on.
The baby's body is being sent to the state medical examiner's office in Albuquerque for an autopsy.
