Dec 23, 2007 2:51 pm US/Eastern
Mom Charged With Shaking, Killing Infant Daughter
Mom Had Several Run-Ins With D.S.S.
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
A Peabody mother is accused of shaking her infant child to death, according to the Essex County District Attorney's Office.
Jennifer Ward, 37, was arrested on Sunday in connection to her 10-month-old daughter's death.
Officials say Jocelyn Ward Anderson died on November 21 -- three days after she was allegedly shaken by Ward.
Jocelyn was allegedly taken away from Ward at birth after both mother and baby tested positive for drugs, according to the D.A.'s office. Officials would not specify what kind of drug was detected.
A spokesperson from the Department of Social Services tells The Salem News that the baby was given back to Ward shortly after the incident when she agreed to undergo outpatient therapy.
Jocelyn was then put back in DSS custody after a report of neglect, the paper reports.
After going through drug treatment and parenting programs, Jocelyn was given back to Ward. Officials with the DSS would not say how long the baby was back with her mother before she was injured.
Ward was arrested at her parent's house and is now being held at York County Jail in Maine. If convicted of murder, she could receive a life sentence.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
