Minnesota mom allegedly smothered daughter after drinking, smoking meth, and falling asleep on her

KANABEC COUNTY, Minn. (TCD) -- A 28-year-old mother stands accused of killing her 5-month-old daughter after allegedly drinking alcohol, smoking meth, taking a sedative, and falling asleep on her.

According to WCCO-TV, on Jan. 22, the 5-month-old victim’s father came home in the morning and saw Sarah Declusin asleep on the couch. He reportedly went in to kiss her and found their daughter smothered between Declusin and the couch.

A complaint obtained by WCCO says the father started screaming, "You are squishing my baby."

First responders arrived at the scene and reportedly found the child unresponsive. According to KBJR-TV, the victim was transported to the hospital and was pronounced dead. An autopsy report reportedly revealed the cause of death as asphyxia.

Upon being interviewed, Declusin told authorities she believed someone came into the apartment and moved the child from her bassinet while she was sleeping, WCCO reports.

Two days after the victim’s death, a neighbor reportedly told Child Services that Declusin came home intoxicated, and before her daughter’s death, she mentioned that Declusin had been drinking, smoking meth, and had taken Valium.

Declusin allegedly told the neighbor her child was wedged between her legs when she woke up and that her daughter’s death "must have been meant to be."

WCCO reports that the neighbor told authorities she was worried about Declusin’s other children. Declusin allegedly told people around her not to talk to law enforcement.

According to WCCO, Declusin was charged with second-degree manslaughter and child endangerment.

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