Murder charges filed against Sikeston woman for infant's death

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A Sikeston woman was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder in the death of her 1-year-old stepchild.

Ashley Clark, 23, was charged with first-degree murder and child abuse in the death, according to a news release from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety.

The defendant was originally charged with first-degree assault for the child's apparent abuse-related injuries, but the charges were upgraded following the infant's death Tuesday afternoon, the release stated.

For more details on this and other developing stories, be sure to read Thursday's Southeast Missourian.