OVIEDO, Fla. – An Oviedo woman was indicted on Wednesday on murder charges for the death of her 1-year-old daughter after the girl was found hanging from holiday lights on Nov. 10.
A Seminole County Grand Jury issued the indictment charging Kristen DePasquale, 27, with first-degree premeditated murder and aggravated child abuse.
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The 1-year-old girl, Mia, was found at her family’s home on 1123 Covington St. in Oviedo after DePasquale called 911.
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 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 autopsy is still pending for the child, according to the medical examiner.
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.