By BOB GIBBINS
TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — The mother of a 2-month-old infant allegedly intentionally suffocated by her father was in jail Thursday in Texas.
Cherokee County Undersheriff Jason Chennault said authorities in Port Lavaca, Texas, have Brandy Hurta in custody on a warrant issued Wednesday in Cherokee County.
Hurta was charged with a felony count of enabling child abuse by injury. She allegedly allowed Mathew Ryan Guthrie to abuse their daughter, Cameron Guthrie, in September 2006.
Hurta is reportedly fighting extradition to Oklahoma.
Guthrie and Hurta were living in Cherokee County in September 2006 when their 2-month-old girl stopped breathing while lying in her playpen. Guthrie allegedly told investigators he put a couch cushion on the infant’s chest while she was in the playpen. Authorities allege Hurta was in the room when it happened, but did nothing to prevent it. They also say she never reported the incident to the Department of Human Services or law enforcement.
Hurta testified against Guthrie at his preliminary hearing late last month.
Guthrie allegedly told law enforcement he and Hurta didn’t want the burden of a small child, and decided together to kill her.
Hurta’s bond has been set at $100,000 on the arrest warrant. Guthrie is being held without bond on a first-degree murder charge.
The medical examiner initially ruled the victim’s death due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and changed the finding after learning of Guthrie’s statement to law enforcement.
