A babysitter in Arkansas was charged in the death of an infant who was in her care, local reports say.
Melissa Garcia-Rivera, 21, was taken to the Benton County jail last week and has remained there, said the Rogers Police Department.
The babysitter then allegedly placed a pillow on top of the child, who was 8 months old. The baby then tried to push herself up.
The woman then threw another pillow and a fleece blanket on the infant. According to local police, that was a total of eight pounds.
Last Tuesday, Oct. 10, the unnamed infant was taken to Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas by her fiance, Marco Antonio Garcia. The girl was pronounced dead there.
Hospital workers found the child soaked in sweat with a temperature of 100.5 degrees.
Arkansas Online later reported that Garcia-Rivera said she had placed two pillows on top to get the child to sleep.
An autopsy was inconclusive regarding the infant’s cause of death. No trauma or signs of disease or defect were discovered.
Garcia-Rivera was arrested on Oct. 12, and faces manslaughter charges.
Garcia-Rivera is slated to appear in Benton County Circuit Court on Nov. 20.