PEKIN, Ill. — A Pekin woman facing an involuntary manslaughter charge after the death of her 11-month-old daughter pled not guilty yesterday (Thursday) in Tazewell County.
An affidavit in the case of 19-year-old Angel Vanduker says she was “frustrated and tired and had attempted to get the baby to lay down with her on the couch.”
Investigators say Vanduker then put a blanket around the baby and held her tightly to her chest with her hand behind the baby’s head for several minutes — until she stopped squirming.
A court document said Vanduker claimed she fell asleep and found her daughter unresponsive when she awoke. An autopsy showed the baby died of suffocation.
Vanduker is scheduled for pre-trial on Nov. 12 and a jury trial that begins Nov. 30.
