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Grand jury indicts Smith in death of daughter, 2

The Columbian
Published: August 9, 2014, 12:00am

ASTORIA, Ore. — A Clatsop County grand jury on Friday afternoon returned a two-count indictment against Jessica Smith of Vancouver, accusing her of aggravated murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter and attempted aggravated murder in the attempted killing of her 13-year-old daughter.

Cannon Beach Police Chief Jason Schermerhorn, who was the first to find the girls on the morning of Aug. 1 in a Cannon Beach hotel room in response to a 911 medical call, testified before the grand jury Friday.

There were two others called to testify: Clatsop County Medical Examiner Dr. JoAnn Giuliani and FBI agent Denise Biehn, according to the indictment.

The indictment alleges that the crimes occurred on or about July 31. Prosecutors allege aggravated charges because the violence was against children younger than of 14, according to court records.

Law enforcement authorities still have not identified how Isabella Smith, 2, was killed. She was found lifeless on the king-sized bed in Room 3302 of the Surfsand Resort by the chief about 9:45 a.m. Aug. 1.

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