Teen Mom Admits Trying To Suffocate Her Infant For Attention

A teen mom has admitted that she tried to suffocate her infant daughter — in an attempt to gain attention. Brenna Elise Winter, age, 18, confessed that she attempted to suffocate her 3-month old daughter on at least one occasion. Authorities believe Winter intentionally harmed her daughter numerous times.

On June 1, Winter took her daughter to the Nemours Children’s Hospital emergency room, as she was vomiting blood. Following a through check-up, the doctor determined that the baby suffered a superficial wound in her throat. However, she was not at risk of serious complications.

The following day, Winter returned her daughter to the hospital with similar symptoms. As the problem appeared to be recurring, with no explanation, Olivia was admitted for observation.

The infant was monitored closely, as doctors were unsure what caused her throat to bleed. Four days later, something triggered the alarm on Olivia’s heart rate monitor. Although Winter was present in her daughter’s room, she denied any knowledge of what caused the alarm.

Hours later, the alarm sounded again. The second alarm prompted hospital staff to review surveillance footage. They were stunned to see Winter covering her daughter’s mouth with her hand.

A hospital social worker contacted the Department of Children and Families immediately. Olivia was placed in protective custody while her mother was questioned about her unusual behavior.

Although she initially denied the accusation, the teen mom later admitted she tried to suffocate her daughter to gain attention. As reported My 13 News, she also admitted sticking her finger down her daughter’s throat, which caused it to bleed.

It is unclear what prompted Winter to harm her child for attention. However, DFC spokeswoman Kristy Gray suggests the teen mom may suffer from mental illness:

“It’s not uncommon that when we’re addressing these issues that additional concerns regarding possible mental health of the parent or caregiver surfaces… When that happens, the agency relies heavily on our mental health community to do a thorough assessment of the caregiver or parent and make a diagnosis of what’s appropriate to do and follow that up with recommendations for treatment of that individual.”

Despite the possibility of mental illness, Winter was arrested and charged with battery by strangulation, aggravated child abuse, and attempted murder in the first degree. She remains incarcerated in the Orange County Jail without bond.

Prior to her arrest, Winter left a chilling message on her Facebook page: “My life, my choices, my mistakes, my lessons. Not your business.”

As reported by Around Osceola, Olivia has recovered from her injuries. She will likely remain in foster care, as her mother admitted trying to suffocate the infant for attention.

[Image via Facebook]