Monroe woman charged in death of 9-month-old

A Monroe County woman has been charged with the death of her 9-month-old child after she got high, fell asleep with her child in the chair, and suffocated the child to death.

Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department said that at 4:22 a.m. Wednesday, officers were dispatched to a home in the 8100 block of Blossom Lane, Coolbaugh Township, for the report of a 9-month-old girl who was not breathing.

While police were en route, the control center advised that the caller reported that the child’s mother, Rachel Lloyd, 27, of Thornhurst, had fallen asleep with the child in a chair and awoke to the child not breathing.

When officers arrived, the baby was dead.

Pocono Mountain Regional Police, the Monroe County Coroner’s Office, and the Monroe County District Attorneys began an investigation into the child’s death.

A search warrant was issued for the home, Lloyd’s cellphone, and her blood.

A search of the residence revealed evidence of the illegal use of controlled substances.

Detectives learned that Lloyd had gotten high the night before, fallen asleep with the infant in her arms, and suffocated the child to death.

The coroner has listed the cause of death as asphyxia — sudden infant death associated with co-sleeping.

The manner has been found to be homicide.

Lloyd was charged with involuntary manslaughter and related offenses on Thursday by District Judge Danielle Travagline.

Lloyd faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering welfare of children.

She is currently free in lieu of $100,000 unsecured bail, and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing April 1 before Travagline.