Mother charged with murder after baby dies pleads not guilty - East Idaho News
Crime Watch

Mother charged with murder after baby dies pleads not guilty

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SALMON — A 25-year-old woman pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge after police say her six-month-old daughter died of a methamphetamine overdose.

Heather Elam of Salmon was in court Thursday, April 21 for a Rider review on a separate charge of possessing a controlled substance in April 2015.

A Rider is a 90-day to one-year rehabilitation program held in a minimum security prison.

Lemhi County Prosecutor Bruce Withers tells EastIdahoNews.com that Elam successfully completed the Rider program but she will remain incarcerated in the Lemhi County Jail on $500,000 bond for the first degree murder charge.

After the Rider review hearing was held, Elam was arraigned on the murder charge and she pleaded not guilty.

Elam is accused of intentionally poisoning her six month daughter, Serenity Gail Elmore, on January 14, 2015.

Court records show investigators discovered methamphetamine in a bottle of children’s Dimetapp — a cold and allergy medication — and within a partially full baby bottle.

Autopsy reports show the presence of methamphetamine in the child’s stomach, blood and urine. Investigators said the presence of meth in the stomach is consistent with oral ingestion.

Serenity was taken the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Heather Elam 2
Heather Elam at a preliminary hearing in Lemhi County on March 8.

Elam’s trial is scheduled for the first two weeks of August. She could receive ten years to life in prison if she is found guilty.

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