LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA: Emily Weaver, a Pennsylvania woman, 32, was taken into custody on Wednesday, October 5, after her three-month-old daughter was found dead inside a sweltering vehicle.
The devastating discovery by her stepfather was on a day when temperatures soared higher than 80 degrees. He found the infant's body inside the vehicle outside her home located in West Hempfield Township, as per court documents obtained by People.
What was the infant's cause of death?
According to an affidavit and a statement issued by the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office following the incident, the infant whose name has not been mentioned in the documents died from "environmental exposure."
The death of the three-month-old has been ruled as a homicide. The Lancaster County Coroner's Office stated the victim died from asphyxia which resulted from hypothermia, reported FOX 43.
The District Attorney's Office further added in the statement that the infant was "beyond help" when discovered because the car was in direct sunlight and the doors and windows of the vehicle were shut.
What are the charges against Emily Weaver?
In connection to the tragic death of her daughter, Weaver was charged with third-degree murder, child endangerment, and involuntary manslaughter.
After learning that Weaver's children had not been picked up from school, the stepfather and another individual went to the suspect's home. After their arrival at her residence, they saw Weaver was "unconscious," as per the arrest affidavit.
After she woke up, Weaver told them she was not able to say where her three-month-old daughter was. This quickly prompted a search that eventually led the stepfather to find the young child's body in the car seat.
Emily Weaver was allegedly on drugs days before the incident
Weaver told the authorities in an interview that she was not able to recollect what she did after she returned to her residence from dropping her children at the school.
The affidavit stated that in the days before the incident took place, the suspect used methamphetamine on multiple occassions. Weaver also told authorities that she had hidden the drugs inside her home.
Ryan Paraschos, identifed as the father of two of Weaver's children told authorities that she had been "incoherent" when he spoke with her on the morning of the incident.
Weaver pleaded guilty to drug-related charges in the past, robbery, and child endangerment, according to the affidavit.
An investigation into the case is ongoing, reported People.
