Mother watched as toddler son tried to smother infant

A single mother who "thought her life would be easier" is accused by police of watching and doing nothing as her 2-year-old tried to suffocate her 11-month-old son.

Christina McIntyre, 23, was charged on Thursday afternoon with attempted felony murder, aggravated child abuse, child abuse and child neglect causing great bodily harm in the incident that occurred Oct. 6.

The infant recovered and both children have been turned over to the state Department of Children and Family Services. McIntyre is being held at the Brevard County Jail with no bond allowed.



Titusville police arrested McIntyre after she told detectives she watched as the infant struggled and fought for air but did nothing, because she wanted to go back to work and could not afford day care for both children.

"As a parent, it is unimaginable how anyone could have this motivation," said Lt. Todd Hutchinson of the Titusville Police Department. "It's extremely disturbing."

Hutchinson said it is unclear from the investigation whether McIntyre instructed her son to smother the baby, but that it is clear that she knew what was happening.