OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) - The state medical examiner’s office says a 5-year-old southeast Iowa girl found unresponsive in her home was strangled.
The office also said in a news release Monday that Cloe Chandler’s death was a homicide.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has said that 22-year-old Kelsie Thomas told investigators that she killed her daughter. Wapello County court records say Thomas has been charged with first-degree murder. Her bail originally was set at $100,000 but has been raised to $500,000, cash only.
Police and medics were sent July 19 to Thomas’ home in Ottumwa. The child was pronounced dead later at a hospital. Her mother was arrested Thursday.
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