Woman Charged With Capital Murder In Baby’s Death

TEXARKANA, Texas — An Arkansas woman has been charged with capital murder in connection with the death of an 8-month-old boy who died in a hospital July 1.

Cherish Michelle Starks, 25, was initially charged with battery at the time of her arrest June 29, court records show. After the death of the infant at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock on July 1, Starks was charged with capital murder, according to Miller County court records.

Starks is not a parent to the child, records show.

Starks had her first initial appearance on the capital murder charge on Wednesday. District Judge Tommy Potter set Starks’ bail at $1 million. She remains in the Miller County jail.

Judge Potter appointed the Arkansas Public Defender’s Office to represent Starks.