Clinton mother charged in death of 2-month-old son

A woman was arrested last week when her infant son was found dead at a hotel in Clinton, Miss.

Clinton police were dispatched to EconoLodge on Clinton Center Drive Tuesday after receiving multiple 911 calls that a woman was screaming in one of the rooms.  Officers arrived to find Darla Luke, 34, with her lifeless infant and eight other children.

According to Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart, the baby likely died of asphyxiation due to co-sleeping.  An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

Luke has been charged with felony child neglect, and her other children have been placed with a grandmother.

On June 7, Luke was charged with misdemeanor child neglect due to the living conditions in the home.  All nine children were removed from her care at that time, but were returned to her before June 21, when the baby’s body was found.

This case remains under investigation.