NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — A local mother was indicted Friday on a murder charge, after allegedly smothering her 20-month-old son in the bathroom of a Midtown restaurant.
Latisha Fisher, 36, pleaded not guilty Friday to a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of her young son, Gavriel Ortiz-Fisher, 20 months.
On the afternoon of March 30, Fisher and her son were found in the bathroom at 5 Boro Burger on Sixth Avenue near 36th Street. They had been locked in the bathroom for about 25 minutes, officials said.
Police said a worker at the restaurant became concerned after noticing that the woman and child were in the bathroom for an unusual amount of time. The worker entered the bathroom, saw the boy unconscious on the woman’s lap and called 911.
When asked what she was doing, the woman allegedly said, “I put my hand over his mouth to put him to sleep,” WCBS 880’s Marla Diamond previously reported.
Fisher allegedly then told first responders the devil had made her do it.
Prosecutors said she smothered the child by holding her hands over his face.
Fisher’s attorney did not immediately respond Friday to a message seeking comment.
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