Bond reduced for Lincoln County mother accused in infant's death

LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. - A Lincoln County woman accused in the death of her infant daughter is out of jail after her bond was reduced to $5,000.

Selena Rodriguez was arrested late last year and charged with second-degree murder after her daughter died after being dropped off at the child’s father’s home. An autopsy determined the baby died from methamphetamine intoxication.

Lincoln County Prosecutor Mike Wood said the case is still developing as investigators continue to interview witnesses and review evidence.

“Whenever you’re dealing with experts that have to do with abuse, the death of a child, any type of level of toxicology that we’re dealing with, things will move slowly,” Wood said.

Rodriguez now faces additional child abuse charges after medical findings revealed the baby had multiple broken ribs and other past injuries. However, drug exposure was the cause of death and Rodriguez was not present at the time.

“Our entire argument toward her level of involvement or guilt centered solely around what she knew and when she knew it,” Wood said.

According to a court filing, a witness came forward in June and claimed it was obvious the baby’s father, Gabriel Clark, was on drugs at the time. But prosecutors say questions remain about what can be proven in court.

“The evidence is starting to coalesce around the actors that were there in the home at the time that the child died,” Wood said.

Rodriguez still faces charges, along with four other defendants, including Clark, who is also charged with second-degree murder. Those defendants include Dillon Clark, Adam Hausermann and Evan Hausermann. A sixth defendant, Shawna Walton, had the murder charge against her dismissed.

Rodriguez’s attorney Matthew Mueller sent FOX 2 a written statement saying, ”We have confidence in the evidence in this case and we remain determined to exonerate Selena of all criminal charges.  Unlike all of the other co-defendants charged in this case, Selena did not reside in nor frequent the home in which her daughter tragically died, nor was Selena involved in or associated with drug use of any kind.”

“There will be some level of accountability. There will be some level of justice. All we have to ask ourselves is how high is that?” Wood said.

Rodriguez does not currently have a court date scheduled. Clark is due back in court next month.