Brooklyn Mother Charged with Murder in Death of 4-Year-Old Child

The mother of a malnourished 4-year-old child, who only weighed 18 pounds at the time of her death, was charged with murder in the second degree.  Carlotta Brett-Pierce, 30, called police to report that her daughter, Marchella, was unconscious. She is also charged with manslaughter in the first degree after the medical examiner ruled the child’s death a homicide. The child was suffering from drug poisoning, injuries, malnutrition and dehydration, according to the medical examiner. [NYTimes]