Man Charged In Baby's Death

Saturday, November 3rd 2007, 8:29 pm

By: News On 6

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) -- A Tahlequah man has been charged with first-degree murder after he allegedly admitted smothering his infant daughter because she was thought to be a burden. Mathew Ryan Guthrie is being held in the Cherokee County jail without bond in connection with the September 15th, 2006, death of two-month-old Cameron R. Guthrie.

The state medical examiner initially ruled that Cameron died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, which usually strikes children who are less than two years old.

But, after Guthrie's alleged admission, the cause of death was amended to homicide.

On October 1st, Guthrie allegedly told authorities he intentionally placed a sofa cushion on his baby's chest and smothered her as she lay on her back in her playpen.

An affidavit states he told authorities the child's mother, Brandy Hurta, agreed with him that the baby was a burden they didn't need, and she was in the room when he suffocated her.

Brandy Hurta hasn't been charged and is listed on the criminal information filing as a witness.