LAURINBURG – A Laurinburg woman has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after officials said she was seen on a hospital surveillance video trying to suffocate her young son.
Maggie Clark Dixon, 32, was arrested Sunday at Carolinas Medical Center Levine Children’s Hospital, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.
Hospital staff noticed abnormalities in the 12-month-old’s vital signs and when they looked at surveillance video, saw Dixon attempting to smother the child, police said.
The mother used both her hands and later a pillow in an attempt to suffocate the baby four times within 15 minutes, , according to the police report.
The incident happened around 11:25 p.m. Saturday.
“Upon arrival, officers were informed that the suspect, Maggie Dixon, had been alone in a hospital room with her 1-year-old son. Hospital staff were alerted to abnormalities in the victim’s vital signs and fluctuations in the victim’s breathing pattern via monitors,” police said in a statement.
Press reports said the child had been suffering from a respiratory condition. The boy remains hospitalized in the care of family members, according to police.
Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services is assisting in the investigation.
Dixon is in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office on a $200,000 bond. She has also been charged with felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury
Anyone with information about the case or Dixon is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
