Woman Arrested on Suspicion of Attempting to Smother Newborn Baby

Santa Barbara Police Deparment (EDHAT GRAPHIC)

On September 8, 2024, at 7:54 a.m., Santa Barbara City Police, Fire and AMR responded to a medical emergency in an apartment complex on the 1100 block of San Andres St.  involving a mother who had just delivered an unresponsive newborn baby.

Roommates discovered both the mother, a twenty-year-old Santa Barbara resident identified as Joseline Lopez-Hernandez, and the baby unresponsive inside the apartment.

Both Lopez-Hernandez and the baby were immediately transported to Cottage Hospital and after life-saving measures were initiated, the baby regained a pulse and began breathing on their own.

Santa Barbara Police Detectives responded to conduct follow-up investigations.  During the investigation, Detectives learned that the mother attempted to smother the baby.

The mother is in the process of being booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for 664/187PC – Attempted Homicide and 273d(a) PC – Cruel/Unusual Punishment on Child and is being held without bail.

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  1. Not being in her shoes, we can’t fathom what was going on with this young mother. There are so many things that could have been going on, including mental illness, abuse, etc. that may have contributed to her trying to end both of their lives. Note that she was also unresponsive, she gave birth at home, she likely didn’t have the beautiful circumstances that many mothers planning their families get to enjoy. I hope that the baby wasn’t without oxygen for too long…. and that the mother gets the help she needs.

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