The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office announced Tuesday a 17-year-old woman has been charged in the death of a 6-week-old baby.
Whitley R. Evenson, of Independence, is charged with second-degree murder, according to a news release from Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.
According to court records, officers responded to the 1300 block of W. Short Avenue in Independence, Mo., on Sept. 16, regarding an infant who wasn't breathing. When officers arrived, a firefighter was performing CPR on the unresponsive baby. Court records state police found the infant on the dining room table.
According to court records, Evenson told police she had fed the child and changed its diaper a few hours earlier. She told police she then went to sleep for a few hours, and when she woke up the child was not making any sound or moving. Court records state she then called police.
After police received new information, police talked to Evenson again. Court records state Evenson told police she was agitated by the baby crying, and said she put her hand over the infant’s mouth to try to quiet the victim. Evenson told police when the infant stopped crying, she thought the baby was asleep.
According to court documents, Evenson told police she knew what she did was wrong.
Prosecutors have requested a bond of $100,000.
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