Oct 25, 2012 1 min read

PITTSBURGH – Police say a West Virginia woman faces charges after she attempted to smother her 4-month-old son after he was admitted to a Pittsburgh children’s hospital. An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for 22-year-old Rachel Nelson of Costa, W.Va., in connection with an incident last week at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Investigators say the boy was admitted to the hospital Oct. 18 after repeated episodes of breathing issues and “concerns of medical child abuse.” Police say the boy was found to be limp with abnormal breathing in the intensive care unit Oct. 20. After doctors reviewed surveillance footage, investigators say Nelson admitted holding the boy to her chest until he stopped breathing. Nelson was taken to a psychiatric facility for evaluation. Court records don’t list an attorney for her.