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23rd Jul 2021

Mother and girlfriend charged with murder after discovery of 6-month-old’s burnt body

Laura Grainger

The horrific murder took place in 2018.

A US mother and her girlfriend are facing charges of first-degree murder for allegedly burning a six-month-old to death.

Hanna Barker and her girlfriend Felicia Smith, from Natchitoches, Louisiana, are accused of murdering Barker’s baby boy, Levi Ellerbe.

Investigators arrested the women after Levi’s burnt body was found near railroad tracks on a street in July of 2018.

Barker was already indicted on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of her son, but recently plead not guilty to a new charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder of a child under twelve.

According to reports, Smith pleaded guilty on Wednesday to manslaughter, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile.

She faces 80 years in prison and will be formally sentenced on October 27.

Smith reportedly told investigators Barker wanted to get rid of her son and asked Smith to help her.

She may have to testify against Barker if called upon during Barker’s trial, which is set to start in September.

Barker faces the death penalty.