Funeral services set for slain St. Louis-area toddler

AFFTON, Mo. (AP) -- Services are set for early next week for a 13-month-old suburban St. Louis boy who authorities say was fatally beaten by his mother.

A St. Louis County judge on Thursday entered a not guilty plea on behalf of 20-year-old Shelby Dasher of Affton, a day after she was charged with second-degree murder in the death of son Tyler.

Dasher on Tuesday reported the boy missing from his crib, but the boy's body was found a few hours later in a field near the family's home.

Prosecutors say Dasher confessed to striking the boy out of frustration over his crying.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Tyler's services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Mark Catholic Church in Affton.

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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com