A 20-year-old woman from Yakima has been arrested after police discovered a deceased infant and a severely malnourished toddler in her apartment on Tuesday.
The woman, whose name is not being released by Yakima Herald-Republic pending formal charges, is currently being held in the Yakima County jail on a $25,000 bail, which covers both the current charges and a 2023 animal cruelty case.
The arrest followed a welfare check at an apartment on North Fourth Avenue at around 7:25 a.m., prompted by a distressing 911 call. In the call, the woman mentioned her 7-month-old child might be dead and stated that she intended to leave and harm herself.
When officers arrived, they entered the unlocked apartment and heard a child crying. Inside, they found a 2-year-old girl in a crib and a dead infant in a bassinet. The infant was pronounced dead at the scene, with paramedics indicating the child had likely been deceased for some time. Both children appeared to have been neglected, according to a police affidavit.
An autopsy on Wednesday confirmed that the baby died from severe dehydration, and the cause of death was ruled as negligent homicide. The toddler was transported to a local hospital, where doctors found signs of malnutrition and neglect. Child Protective Services was notified and is reaching out to family members.
The apartment itself was described as filthy, with trash, old food, and soiled diapers scattered throughout the children’s room. A foul odor lingered in the air, and several neglected cats were found inside.
A neighbor stated she had known the woman for two years and last saw her two days before the welfare check. She had not seen the man in the apartment for a week and hadn’t heard the baby cry for several days.
The woman was arrested on suspicion of first- and second-degree criminal mistreatment and family abandonment.
At a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, Deputy Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney Diane Hehir requested a $500,000 bail, citing the severity of the case and the danger to all involved. Public defender Jewel Christensen argued for a lower bail, citing the woman’s financial struggles and the failure of others to assist her. She suggested a total bail of $20,000.
Judge Jeffery Swan ultimately set the bail at $20,000 for the child neglect case and $5,000 for the animal cruelty charge. If the woman posts bail, she will be under court supervision and must refrain from drug use.
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