Pubdate: Sat, 23 Dec 2006
Source: Commercial Dispatch, The (Columbus, MS)
Copyright: 2006 The Commercial Dispatch
Contact:  http://www.cdispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3350

16-YEAR-OLD MOTHER CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER TESTS CONFIRM DRUG 
OVERDOSE KILLED BABY

A 16-year-old Columbus girl has been arrested for murder after her 
child was born dead last month.

Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant's investigation led to the 
arrest under the state's "depraved heart murder" charge. Merchant 
determined that the baby died from a cocaine overdose.

The girl's identity is not being revealed because she is a minor.

The case is the second infant death charge brought by Merchant in the 
past four months relating to drug use by the mother. Tonya Regina 
Hairston, 32, of Columbus is currently awaiting trial on manslaughter 
charges after her baby was stillborn July 30. An autopsy on that baby 
determined cocaine toxicity caused its death.

In the new case, Merchant determined that the death of the child was clear.

"Tests of the infant determined cocaine toxicity," he said. "In other 
words, the baby died from an overdose of drugs. The only way for 
those drugs to get into the unborn child is through the mother."

Merchant called in the Columbus Police Department to further 
investigate the case and officers arrested the mother late Thursday.

"Our investigation along with the coroner shows that the mother was 
using drugs while pregnant," CPD Detective Gary Moore said Saturday. 
"I don't want to go into too many details since it will be going to 
court, but I can tell you that the mother knew she was harming her baby."

Mississippi law defines depraved heart murder as "a callous disregard 
for human life that results in death of another."

Merchant's investigation into the case opened the door for the 
charges and he said Saturday that his work will continue.

"I was elected to investigate death," he said.  "No death will be 
ignored or swept away. Each case is closely investigated. Every 
infant death is given special attention. The cooperation of all the 
law enforcement agencies and medical care professionals are allowing 
this office to bring these cases forward."

Over 400 cases a year are investigated by Merchant's office.

"This is a sad and tragic case," Merchant said.

"There is zero tolerance for this activity. People need to hear the 
message that there will be no second chances in these cases." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake