GRETNA, La. — A baby sitter has been indicted on a second-degree murder charge alleging she put a baby in a clothes dryer so she could watch television without being disturbed.
The charge was handed up Thursday by a grand jury against 19-year-old Arielle Smith, of Harvey.
Prosecutor Amanda Calogero said Smith was watching three children, including 5-month-old Andre Jenkins on Sept. 11. Jenkins was allegedly put in a clothes dryer while two older children, including Smith's 1-year-old son, were put in another room while the sitter watched television.
Authorities said the baby died at the scene from skull fractures and burns suffered in the dryer.
Smith's attorney, Davidson Ehle, declined comment.
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