Mother confesses in smothering death of 4-day-old infant, deputies say

ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — A 22-year-old woman has been charged with murder after a 4-day-old infant was found unresponsive Tuesday at a home.

Aishia Marie Pacheco, 22, the child’s mother, was charged with second-degree murder. She is being held under a $1 million secured bond.

Officials responded to the home around 6:12 a.m. in the Wittenburg community.

The infant was pronounced dead at the scene by Alexander County EMS. The child was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital for an autopsy. The Alexander County Sheriff said the mother smothered the child.

Deputies told reporter Dave Faherty that the mother confessed to killing Tyler Pacheco.

Investigators said Pacheco pulled the infant to her chest and smothered him because he was crying.

The sheriff said Pacheco initially called 911 and said the child wasn't breathing. She was told to perform CPR.

Faherty asked Pacheco what happened and she responded "It was an accident."

She apologized to her family as she headed to court Wednesday morning.

"I thought she was going to be a good mom because she looked so happy holding the baby in the hospital,” neighbor Glenda Turner said.

Just hours before Tyler's death, Pacheco had posted to her Facebook page "my little boy Tyler and I finally got to come home today. He is doing great and love him so much."

Pacheco asked for a court-appointed attorney. Her next court appearance is June 6.

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