Prosecutors to seek death penalty for woman accused of killing son, sending photo to father

PITTSBURGH — Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty for a McKeesport woman accused of killing her son, the Allegheny County district attorney's office announced Thursday.

Christian Clark, 21, remains jailed awaiting trial on homicide, attempted homicide, assault and endangerment charges.

Police say Clark sent her son's father photos of the 17-month-old boy's lifeless body during hours' worth of angry text messages Nov. 1 because she believed he planned to be with another woman.

"Ya kids ain't safe here I don't want them here" and "Answer me or im going to jail for child endangerment" were among dozens of texts listed in the criminal complaint. Then came a message about an hour into the rant that said, "I'm killing them," followed by a laughing emoji with tears coming from its eyes, police said.

Clark called 911 more than an hour later and police found the lifeless boy. Clark first claimed not to know how he died, then confessed to smothering him, police said.

Clark is also charged with trying to smother the couple's 2-year-old daughter.

Andre Price Jr., 24, of McKeesport, who is accused of not calling 911 when he received the messages, waived a preliminary hearing Monday and will go to trial.

Cox Media Group