Police arrested an Oregon mother Sunday for allegedly killing her 2-year-old daughter and attempting to murder her other 13-year-old daughter at a Cannon Beach hotel room Friday. .
Jessica Smith was taken into custody near Cannon Beach, Oregon. The 40-year-old was charged with aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder, Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis said.
The children were found by the hotel staff and they called the police. Autopsy result of the toddler Isabella was unable to identify the cause of the death. Cannon Beach Police Chief Jason Schermerhorn said it was a case of homicide and the department is waiting for the toxicology reports. "It's hard to know with a child that size," said Schermerhorn, reports KATU.com. "They need to await a toxicology report."
Alana Smith, the injured elder daughter, sustained critical wounds and is in stable condition.
Authorities issued an arrest warrant against Smith early Sunday. The U.S. Coast Guard helicopter spotted Smith's vehicle near a logging road, reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Smith checked into a resort along with her children Wednesday. Police found no sign of forced entry. Greg Smith, the father of the children, co-operated with the investigators and has been ruled out as a suspect. "There are no other suspects," Schermerhorn said.
Marquis said that Smith was being held at Astoria jail and would appear for her arraignment, most likely Monday afternoon, the Associated Press reports.
More than a dozen people from Cannon Beach gathered Saturday evening for a candlelight vigil for Isabella.
