A mother in Washington has been arrested and charged with aggravated murder after her two-year-old daughter, Isabella, was found dead in an Oregon hotel room with her critically injured 13-year-old sister, Alana, according to The Oregonian.
Jessica Smith is set to appear in court Monday afternoon. She has also been charged in the attempted aggravated murder of her 13-year-old daughter.
Here’s what you need to know about her:
1. She Shared Custody of Her Daughters
Cannon Beach killing: Jessica Smith's story so far; what's next. http://t.co/nDU4nMVtqV pic.twitter.com/v0nxfWJlvG
— The Oregonian (@Oregonian) August 4, 2014
According to The Oregonian, Jessica Smith’s husband, Greg, filed for divorce in June. Greg Smith was granted visitation with his daughters on Fridays starting in August. Jessica Smith checked into the Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach, Oregon with her daughters Wednesday, July 30 and was not in the hotel room when the girls were found by a housekeeper Friday, August 1, The Oregonian reports.
2. Greg Smith Requested That Jessica Smith Undergo a Psychiatric Evaluation
Oregon Manhunt for Mother Jessica Smith, Now Suspected in Toddler’s … – http://t.co/OR6WFjW7gJ pic.twitter.com/nSZGL2dYY2
— US News Headlines (@us_headlines) August 4, 2014
The Oregonian reports Greg Smith had received troubling and erratic messages from his ex-wife, which lead him to request his wife undergo a mental evaluation. When Jessica Smith missed a June 23 court date, a judge ordered she undergo an evaluation and that Greg Smith be granted parenting rights on Fridays, effective August 1, according to The Oregonian.
3. Isabella Smith’s Death Was Ruled a Homicide
Cannon Beach killing: Jessica Smith in custody on aggravated murder charge, police say http://t.co/pIs44mxEIy pic.twitter.com/7y1RMuu7O3
— Susan Gage (@sngager) August 4, 2014
According to KATU, Isabella Smith’s manner of death was ruled a homicide, and cops said she exhibited no signs of physical abuse. Cops told The Oregonian they haven’t been able to determine a cause of death for Isabella Smith since she was found without apparent injuries. Alana Smith suffered severe injuries and cops said she was the victim of an attempted homicide, KATU reports. Alana Smith is in stable condition at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, according to The Oregonian.
4. The FBI Got Involved in the Search for Jessica Smith
DA: Jessica Smith to appear in Clatsop Co. court Monday on aggravated murder charge. #KOIN6 pic.twitter.com/9NeRuoOBze
— Jennifer Hoff (@JennHoffKOIN6) August 4, 2014
The FBI worked with Oregon cops in order to find Jessica Smith after her daughters were found, according to KPTV. Local business owners told KPTV FBI agents asked about surveillance video in their shops, but wouldn’t say for what they were looking. The Oregonian reports a U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter spotted Jessica Smith’s SUV in a heavily wooded area on Sunday and Jessica Smith was taken into custody without incident.
5. This Was the Town’s First Homicide in 50 Years
Cannon Beach killing: Jessica Smith in custody on aggravated murder charge, police say http://t.co/ef8KYt9kCs pic.twitter.com/Zw4rohmcV9
— Andre Meunier (@AndreMeunier13) August 4, 2014
KOIN reports Isabella Smith’s death was the first homicide in Cannon Beach, Oregon in half a century. Reports of the crime also shocked residents of Goldendale, Washington, where the Smiths lived, with one resident telling KPTV:
We’re just a small town. We don’t normally have this kind of stuff. That’s pretty atrocious.