Grandmother ‘used power saw on baby’

A Chicago woman has been charged with the murder of her 7-month-old granddaughter, who was struck in the head multiple times before having her throat cut with a power saw, prosecutors said.

Police have said the baby girl, Rose Herrera, was killed on Monday, apparently because she would not stop crying. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said the baby’s 52-year-old grandmother, Manuela Rodriguez, was charged with first-degree murder in Rose’s death.

An autopsy concluded that the baby was already dead when her throat was cut. It concluded that not only was the girl struck in the head with an object but that she also likely suffocated on a sock that was “placed in her mouth”.

Rodriguez, who police say attempted to take her own life after the attack, was taken to a hospital for treatment for injuries that were not considered life threatening. The State’s Attorney’s Office said Rodriguez was scheduled to appear in court late last night.

Residents of the quiet street in the predominantly Hispanic Little Village neighbourhood where Rose was killed said Rodriguez had some health problems but was always pleasant.

State child welfare officials said they had no record of ever being called to the home. Neighbours said the woman and her family were always polite and did not cause trouble. “She would help everybody and if you needed a glass of milk or something she would give it to you,” said one neighbour.