Police: Mother Sent Video Of Lifeless Child To Father, Admitted To Smothering Him
MCKEESPORT (KDKA) – A woman is accused of murdering her young son and sending disturbing video and texts to his father.
According to police, emergency crews were called to the Hi View Gardens housing complex in McKeesport around 11 p.m. Tuesday.
When they arrived, they found an unresponsive 17-month-old boy. The child, Andre Price, was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Through their investigation, police determined that Christian Clark, 21, of McKeesport, was responsible for the child's death.
According to the criminal complaint, Clark was having a fight with the child's father via text message. Clark accused him of cheating on her - even as the texts were being exchanged.
"The text messages indicated there was an ongoing argument between her and the child's father through the course of the evening. She was angry," said Allegheny County Police Supt. Coleman McDonough. "She suspected him of some romantic involvement. It's quite an exchange. It's pages and pages of texts."
During that conversation, Clark allegedly sent a video of the child's lifeless body and admitted to smothering him on an air mattress.
Clark also attempted to smother her 2-year-old daughter, but the child survived. The girl has since been examined by medics.
In one message following the video, Clark said, "First of all she is clearly fine, because watch, see she is not dead. Him on the other hand, he doesn't budge. So you might want to call the ambulance."
Prior to sending the video, Clark sent another message which said, "They'll blame you for leaving them with me lol they talk about how I have issues & needed help & ya son wont even be remembered now that is actually sad."
The next message said, "Im sure it'll hurt me once im sitting in jail."
The next message said, "& you got all the evidence you need so I cant even say he suffocated in his sleep or say idk what happened…"
"It just goes to show how texts have become such a routine part of our lives that people don't even realize the nature of what they're communicating," said Supt. McDonough.
Clark is currently being held in the Allegheny County Jail. She is facing criminal homicide and attempted homicide charges.
Police say the father made no attempt to call police, but there are no plans to charge him.
The investigation continues.
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