OVIEDO, Fla. – An Oviedo woman was arrested Monday on murder charges in connection with the death of her 1-year old daughter.
Oviedo police said Kristen DePasquale called 911 Thursday night after she found her daughter, Mia, unresponsive.
DePasquale told police that she took a shower and left Mia and her 2-year-old son in the living room, where they were watching TV.
DePasquale said she heard her son apologizing for hurting his sister and found Mia unresponsive and partially hanging from a strand of Halloween lights that was wrapped around her neck, according to police.
Police said, however, that there was no evidence that DePasquale took a shower and there were several inconsistencies in her statements.
Oviedo police said the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide by strangulation and the girl's injuries appeared to be a result of more force than Mia's brother could have exerted.
The 2-year-old boy was placed in the custody of a family member.
The father of the children is in prison on unrelated charges.
The stand of lights was initially described as Christmas decorations.
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