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The search for a Washington mom suspected of killing her 2-year-old daughter Isabella and trying to kill her teenage daughter Alana has ended. Cops found Jessica Smith, 40, in her car on the side of Highway 26, where they think she has been hiding out since the body of her toddler was found dead at the Surfsand Hotel in Oregon Friday night. Her 13-year-old daughter was also discovered in the room, suffering from serious injuries that cops suspect Smith caused.
Police believe that Smith may have killed her daughter at the seaside resort, though a motive hasn't been identified. The poor little girl was found by a hotel housekeeper without a scratch on her body, and the cause of her death -- though ruled a homicide -- is still unknown after an autopsy. The results of a toxicology test have yet to be confirmed. The hotel worker also discovered Smith's teen daughter with severe cut wounds on her body, but she has been hospitalized and is expected to pull through.
The trio checked into the hotel on Wednesday, and police say there was no sign that anyone had forced his or her way into the room. Smith allegedly disappeared shortly before her girls were found in the room.
The children's father, Greg Smith, has been ruled out as a suspect, and police say he is cooperating fully with the investigation. The couple had recently split, according to court docs, and the woman had filed for, but had been denied, her request for a restraining order against her ex. She was ordered by the court to share custody of her two daughters with their father but reportedly wasn't abiding by that rule.
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Smith faces charges of aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder and could receive the death penalty if convicted.
It's really too early to make heads or tails of this case. But it's definitely questionable and odd that this mom was nowhere to be found while her young daughters were in a hotel room. The teen victim is scheduled to be released from the hospital any day now, and I suspect her report will clarify just what happened to them.
What do you think happened here?
Image via Cannon Beach Police Department
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