Hollister
– Police arrested a Hollister woman on second-degree murder
charges Monday believing that she was high on methamphetamine when
her infant daughter died, possibly after consuming a narcotic the
night before.
Hollister – Police arrested a Hollister woman on second-degree murder charges Monday believing that she was high on methamphetamine when her infant daughter died, possibly after consuming a narcotic the night before.
Rachael Marie Menchaca, 27, called 911 at about 3:10am Monday and told dispatchers that her 9-month-old daughter had stopped breathing, Hollister Police Department Spokeswoman Rosie Betanio said Tuesday. Local police, firefighters and medics responded to the Valley View Road apartment and performed CPR on the infant. They were unable to revive her.
Emergency room officials at Hazel Hawkins Hospital pronounced the girl dead at 4:09am.
Betanio said investigators began an intensive investigation at Menchaca’s home following the infant’s death. Investigators believe the infant may have ingested a toxic substance, possibly a narcotic, according to police. An unknown pill was found at the home and has been sent to the lab for further testing. The Monterey County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy Monday, but Hollister detectives are still waiting for definitive toxicology reports to determine the cause of death, Betanio said.
Based on Menchaca’s statements to investigators and evidence at the home, detectives believe the infant may have ingested the substance the night before, Betanio said. They further believe that Menchaca made no effort to give her daughter medical attention and was high on methamphetamine when the girl died, Betanio said.
By Monday afternoon, detectives said they had probable cause to arrest Menchaca. She was arrested on charges of second-degree murder, willfully causing great bodily injury or death to a child and failing to care for a child.
Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller said investigation into the death is ongoing.
“Officers will continue preparing this case for the District Attorney’s Office and we’re waiting for toxicology reports to come back from the lab,” he said. “But there were indications that the child was in distress and the mother did not summon medical help early on.”
Menchaca was also caring for at least one other child, a young boy, at the time of the infant’s death. Miller did not know the whereabouts of the child, but had been told Child Protective Services had at least temporary custody of the boy. The whereabouts of the infant’s father at the time of the incident are also unknown, Betanio said.
At the time of her arrest by Hollister detectives, Menchaca was on probation in Santa Clara County for drug violations, Betanio said.
She is being held at the San Benito County Jail without bail. If convicted of second-degree murder, she could face 15 years to life in prison, according to the California Penal Code.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com.
