Miss. mom arrested when 2-month-old son dies at hotel days after regaining custody

CLINTON, Miss. (TCD) -- A 34-year-old woman was taken into custody after her 2-month-old son died earlier this week, possibly from asphyxiation.

According to WJTV-TV, on Tuesday, June 21, Clinton Police Department officers responded to the Econo Lodge Hotel for a report of a deceased infant. The 2-month-old's mother, Darla Luke, was taken into custody and charged with felony child neglect.

The Hinds County Coroner reportedly believes the little boy could have died from asphyxiation as part of a co-sleeping situation.

WLBT-TV reports the hotel manager told police five people had been living at the Econo Lodge for about a month and a half. At 10 a.m. on June 21, the manager and other hotel guests reportedly heard Luke screaming and called 911.

According to WAPT-TV, Luke has nine children and they've been placed with a family member. Earlier in June, Luke was reportedly charged with misdemeanor child neglect when officers responded to a domestic dispute.

A spokeswoman for the city of Clinton, Amanda Jones, reportedly said in a statement, "At some point between June 7 and June 21, the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services returned the children to her custody."

WAPT reports Luke’s bond was set at $25,000.

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