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Mom Pleads Not Guilty To Shaking Baby To Death

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Dec 28, 2007 4:14 pm US/Eastern

Mom Pleads Not Guilty To Shaking Baby To Death

Mom Had Several Run-Ins With D.S.S.

BOSTON (WBZ) ― A Peabody woman has pleaded not guilty to charges she shook her 9-month-old baby to death back in November.

Jennifer Ward, 37, was arrested on Sunday at her parents' home in Kennebunk, Maine in connection to her 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 will return to Salem Superior Court on Wednesday to discuss bail.


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