Karen McCarron - Murder- 3 yo Autistic Daughter - TBD
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 4:07 PM CST Morton mother fit for trial in daughter's death By Associated Press Advertisement PEKIN -- A Morton pathologist is fit to stand trial on charges that she suffocated her autistic 3-year-old daughter earlier this year, officials say. Prosecutors and Karen McCarron's defense attorney stipulated in court Monday to a mental health expert's finding that McCarron understands the charges against her and can assist in her defense. McCarron, 37, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of obstructing justice and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in May 13 death of her daughter, Katherine. Authorities say McCarron has confessed to suffocating her daughter with a plastic bag. They say the mother then tried to kill herself with an overdose on over-the-counter medication the next day. McCarron was released from jail in June after posting the required 10 percent of her $1 million bond. Authorities say she is staying at a Springfield mental health facility where she has been undergoing treatment since June. Under terms of her bail, McCarron was forbidden to have contact with anyone under the age of 18, including her remaining 2-year-old daughter. She also was ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device if she leaves the Springfield treatment facility. Her husband, Paul, filed a divorce petition May 23, alleging extreme and repeated mental cruelty. He is seeking sole custody of the couple's surviving daughter. http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2006/11/08/news/doc45511e3f81567548968711.txt