THE INDEPENDENT NEWS
COURTHOUSE — A city woman faces a criminal charge following the death of a four-month-old baby in the Pine Meadows area.
Earlier this month, rescue officials and police responded to the 800 block of Levy Loop after receiving a report of a baby who was not breathing, according a statement released today by Master Police Officer Linda Kuehn, a city police spokesperson.
Paramedics took over CPR when they arrived, but the baby was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. The incident happened shortly before noon, Monday, Aug. 15.
The person who called 911 was operating an illegal daycare from her home, investigators found. She had “more children than were legally permitted to be under her care at that time,” according to the statement.
After consulting with the commonwealth’s attorney’s office, police arrested Marlene G. Rice, 48, and charged her with one count of abuse and neglect of children.
The case remains under investigation by Det. J.F. Allen, police said in the statement.
No details were released about the cause of the infant’s death.
The baby’s family declined through police to speak with reporters.
Kathy Hieatt, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, said via email that Rice did not want to be interviewed, either.
Rice is scheduled to appear in juvenile and domestic relations court on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
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