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LINDON — A woman faces criminal charges for allegedly smothering her infant child to the point of unconsciousness.
McKenna Laird, 20, of Lindon, was charged Thursday in 4th District Court with child abuse, a second-degree felony.
On Nov. 28, 2015, Laird "attempted to suffocate her 1-year-old son by putting a pillow over his face and holding it there until the victim stopped kicking his legs," according to the charges.
The boy was taken to a local hospital. Police say Laird told doctors the injuries were caused when her son wrapped himself in his blankets. A week later, however, when Laird was admitted to a facility for mental health treatment, she called her mother and admitted "to her homicidal intent," the charges state.
Laird has since given up custody of her son, who later recovered, to the boy's father, whom she is divorcing, police say.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-8255, operates 24 hours a day.
Crisis Hotlines
- Utah County Crisis Line: 801-226- 4433
- Salt Lake County/UNI Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
- Wasatch Mental Health Crisis Line: 801-373- 7393
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
- Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1- 866-488-7386
Online resources
- NAMI Utah: nam iut.org
- Utah Chapter-American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: a fsputah.com
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
