Trial begins for mother charged with attempting to smother 4-year-old son

photo Monica Hammers, 41, faces a charge of attempted first degree murder after she allegedly tried to suffocate her 4-year-old son while he was at Erlanger hospital, according to Chattanooga Police Department.

A 43-year-old mother is on trial for the attempting to smother her 4-year-old son while he was being treated for a broken arm at Erlanger Hospital.

Monica Dawn Hammers faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse for the alleged incident on May 6, 2011.

Police arrested Hammers after a hospital worker reported seeing the boy cry, Hammers tell him to shut up and put a pillow over his face for five to six seconds.

For more see tomorrow's Times Free Press.

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