16-YEAR-OLD MOTHER CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER TESTS CONFIRM DRUG
OVERDOSE KILLED BABY

A 16-year-old Columbus girl has been arrested for murder after her
child was born dead last month.

Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant's investigation led to the
arrest under the state's "depraved heart murder" charge. Merchant
determined that the baby died from a cocaine overdose.

The girl's identity is not being revealed because she is a minor.

The case is the second infant death charge brought by Merchant in the
past four months relating to drug use by the mother. Tonya Regina
Hairston, 32, of Columbus is currently awaiting trial on manslaughter
charges after her baby was stillborn July 30. An autopsy on that baby
determined cocaine toxicity caused its death.

In the new case, Merchant determined that the death of the child was clear.

"Tests of the infant determined cocaine toxicity," he said. "In other
words, the baby died from an overdose of drugs. The only way for
those drugs to get into the unborn child is through the mother."

Merchant called in the Columbus Police Department to further
investigate the case and officers arrested the mother late Thursday.

"Our investigation along with the coroner shows that the mother was
using drugs while pregnant," CPD Detective Gary Moore said Saturday.
"I don't want to go into too many details since it will be going to
court, but I can tell you that the mother knew she was harming her baby."

Mississippi law defines depraved heart murder as "a callous disregard
for human life that results in death of another."

Merchant's investigation into the case opened the door for the
charges and he said Saturday that his work will continue.

"I was elected to investigate death," he said. "No death will be
ignored or swept away. Each case is closely investigated. Every
infant death is given special attention. The cooperation of all the
law enforcement agencies and medical care professionals are allowing
this office to bring these cases forward."

Over 400 cases a year are investigated by Merchant's office.

"This is a sad and tragic case," Merchant said.

"There is zero tolerance for this activity. People need to hear the
message that there will be no second chances in these cases."