A Texas mother has been charged with attempted capital murder of her 4-month-old daughter, after she allegedly punched, then attempted to smother her, according to court documents.
The 20-year-old mother, Meredith Nicole Deen, was charged in connection with the June 13 incident at her home in southeast Houston.
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According to court documents, Deen’s live-in boyfriend witnessed the ordeal and described how she attempted to smother the child by sitting on her while covering her with pillows and blankets.
Deen’s boyfriend was woken up to the sound of the infant crying, and had to pull her off the child, authorities said.
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He added that Deen placed the items on top of her child again later that night.
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The infant’s mother also said she wanted to throw her daughter against the wall, her boyfriend told deputies.
When the couple were on their way to drop the child off at daycare on June 14, Deen reportedly attacked her boyfriend, with court documents describing how the mother kicked and punched him in the vehicle.
When the pair arrived, court documents state workers at the Spring daycare noticed Deen’s daughter was trembling and shaking, and all employees were immediately worried about her and Deen’s wellbeing.
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Once Deen’s boyfriend told the daycare workers what had happened the day before, they contacted Harris County police officers.
“It’s scary because it’s not common to have EMS and cops all around our building,” Ray told ABC13. “But we definitely just want the child to be protected.”
The 4-month-old was then taken to Texas Children’s Hospital in The Woodlands, where a physician said she showed no signs of injuries, according to deputies.
The mother was later sent to the Harris Center for a mental assessment after saying she wanted to harm herself.
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At the Center, Deen was questioned about the June 13 incident, where she admitted to punching her daughter and attempting to smother her twice, reported Fox13.
The 20-year-old described how the first time she placed pillows on top of her baby, she held them there for around 30 seconds.
She added that her boyfriend stopped her when she tried to smother the child a second time.
Deen also admitted to deputies she became upset earlier that week after her mother said she wouldn’t take care of the infant, adding that she was sorry for harming her daughter and couldn’t look after her alone.
Deen is being held at Ben Taub Hospital, where her mental health is being monitored, according to ABC13.
