Oakdale police have obtained a felony arrest warrant for the mother of a 44-day-old girl that died in December. Toxicology results returned in January showed the infant had a high level of methamphetamine in its system at the time of its death.
Nicole Todd-Smith, 31, of Oakdale, is charged with felony child endangerment with a bail of $1 million out of Stanislaus Superior Court, according to Oakdale Police Sergeant Joe Johnson.
On Dec. 11, police were summoned to an unresponsive baby on Obsidian Drive that was later pronounced dead at Oak Valley Hospital. On Jan. 17 police received a toxicology report showing “excessive levels” of the street drug in the baby’s system, causing it to choke on its own vomit.
During their investigation, police made follow-up appointments to interview Todd-Smith, who later failed to show at the police department. According to police, Todd-Smith is no longer at the Obsidian Drive address and her current whereabouts are unknown.
After receiving the coroner and toxicology results, police worked with the district attorney’s office on the investigation to obtain charges.
At the time of the infant’s death, Todd-Smith was married, but not to the baby’s biological father. According to Johnson, the husband who also lived at the residence was not charged in this incident.
Since the child died, Todd-Smith could face a term of 25 years to life under California’s felony child endangerment sentencing laws.
Anyone knowing the location of Nicole Todd-Smith is encouraged to contact the Oakdale Police Department at (209) 847-2241.