Mum killed infant daughter before living with her dead body for three months: police

Accused ... Christina M Colantonio allegedly killed her infant child and then lived in an apartment with the baby's lifeless body for three months. Picture: Batavia Police Department via the AP Source: AP

 

A MOTHER killed her newborn daughter shortly after birth before living with her dead body for three months, police said. Christina Colantonio, 28, was charged with second-degree murder on Saturday in connection with the death of her daughter, Genesee County District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said.

Police launched an investigation on Thursday when an acquaintance visiting Colantiono at her apartment in Batavia, New York, found the baby’s lifeless body and called 911, Batavia Police Detective Sergeant Todd Crossett said at a news conference.
Investigators believe Colantonio killed the girl “shortly after birth,” about three months ago, Mr Crossett said.

 

Mother ... police said Christina M. Colantonio has two other children. Picture: Batavia Police Department via the AP Source: AP

Authorities would not say how the baby died, but Friedman said investigators “have enough evidence to come to a conclusion it was intentionally caused.”
A medical examiner will determine the infant’s official cause of death. Mr Friedman said the investigation was still ongoing.
Police said Colantonio, who has two other children, lived alone in the apartment. She was arraigned on Saturday at Batavia City Court and ordered held without bail.
Colantonio remained jailed Saturday evening and could not be reached for comment. It was unclear whether she had a lawyer who could comment on her behalf.
Mr Crossett said the officers who discovered the baby girl’s body were being offered counselling.
“It’s not something you see on a regular basis,” he said. “They are the most vulnerable part of the population.”