MOM CHARGED WITH BABY'S DRUG DEATH

PERRIS - Prosecutors have charged a 30-year-old mother of three with
second-degree murder after investigators said her infant son died when he
ingested methamphetamine through her breast milk.

The prosecution of Amy Prien for the death of 3-month-old Jacob W. Smith
could lead to the first conviction of its kind in California.

"She knew the drugs were dangerous, but it was more important to her to
have the self-gratification," Deputy District Attorney Michele Levine said.

Authorities said they hope the trial begins next month. Prien faces the
possibility of life in prison.

Prien has denied taking methamphetamine at the time of Jacob's death last
year. Court documents alleged that Prien, who is free on $100,000 bail,
used a variety of drugs including PCP, LSD and methamphetamine. In
California, three women have been charged with murder in similar cases; all
were convicted of lesser charges.