Bootheel woman found mentally competent in infant murder case

KENNETT, Mo. -- Following a court-ordered evaluation, qualified psychiatric professionals with the SEMO Mental Health Center have found that a Campbell, Mo., woman accused of murdering her infant daughter in May 2009 is mentally fit for trial.

According to court documents, Joanna Faucett, 24, has been found to not suffer from any mental disease or defect that would render her unable to assist in her own defense. She is charged in connection with the death of her 1-month-old infant daughter, who was allegedly murdered through strangulation.

Assistant Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Jonce Chidister said in early reports that the deceased child was one of a set of triplets. The attorney also indicated that the additional two infants were not at the home at the time of the incident.

Faucett, who is being represented by public defender Charles Hirth, is set to appear for her trial on June 9, continuing to June 10, if necessary. The case will be heard by Judge Stephen R. Sharp. A pretrial conference has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. April 27.

Faucett, who has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, had another infant who died at 16 days old in 2008. The death was believed to be due to co-sleeping. She presently remains in custody at the Dunklin County Justice Center on a $100,000 bond.