Mother accused in death of infant
Published 10:02 am Thursday, April 28, 2016
ST. PAUL — A St. Paul mother has been charged with manslaughter in the smothering death of her infant daughter.
A criminal complaint filed by the Dakota County attorney says South St. Paul police were called to the home of Jessica Grass last June where they found an unresponsive 5-month-old girl.
The complaint says the 31-year-old mother initially told police she found Vaida Rose unconscious with her face against a pillow on a bed. Prosecutors say Grass later said she might have rolled on her daughter while they were asleep. The complaint says controlled substances were found in the mother’s system.
Grass appeared in court Wednesday in Hastings and has been released on $25,000 bail. She’s due back in court May 10. It’s not immediately clear if Grass has retained an attorney.