MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A 31-year-old South St. Paul woman is charged in the death of her infant daughter, after she fell asleep with the girl and allegedly suffocated her.
According to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, Jessica Lee Grass is charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter in connection to the June 17, 2015 incident.
According to the criminal complaint, police were called to Grass’ residence where they found her deceased 5-month-old baby, Vaida Rose Grass, lying on top of a bed near a pillow.
Grass initially told police that she laid her baby down on the bed and laid down with her briefly before leaving the child in the bed. However, she later changed her story and told police she had in fact fallen asleep with the baby and may have rolled on her, the complaint said.
Grass also admitted to using methamphetamine, Xanax and alcohol the day prior. A blood test confirmed the controlled substances were still in her system at the time of the infant’s death.
An autopsy confirmed the infant died of positional asphyxia.
“This appears to be another tragic example of the extreme danger of co-sleeping with an infant, the danger of which is even more extreme when the co-sleeping adult is under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said.
Jessica Grass’ bail has been set at $75,000 without condition and $25,000 with conditions. Her next appearance in court is scheduled for May 10, 2016.
