On Wednesday, January 24, the Jackson Police Department began a death investigation in the 2300 block of Forest Ave.

Detectives learned that the infant victim was found unresponsive at this location.

The victim was transported to the hospital where she was unfortunately pronounced deceased by medical personnel.

Subsequently, throughout the investigation, 28-year-old Lagayla Haynes and 23-year-old Samara Smith have been arrested and charged with felony child neglect.

Lagayla Haynes is the mother of the child and Samara Smith is the child’s aunt.

Haynes was given a bond of $85,000 and Smith was given a bond of $75,000.

This is an ongoing investigation, detectives are still interviewing witnesses and working with the District Attorney’s office. Charges can be upgraded in this case at a later time. If anyone has any additional information relating to this case, please call Crime Stoppers at 601-355- (TIPS) 8477 or contact the Jackson Police Department at 601-960-1234.

Smith (left photo)

Haynes (right photo)