Police issue murder warrant for mom of slain toddler found in Oregon hotel

CANNON BEACH, Oregon -- Police issued an aggravated murder warrant for the mother of a toddler found dead in an Oregon beach resort.

Police say Jessica Smith, 40, of Goldendale, Washington is considered armed and dangerous.

A housekeeper made the grisly discovery Friday morning at the Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach. A 13-year-old was also found severely injured in the room.

The medical examiner said the 2-year-old's was homicide, but the official cause is undetermined pending a toxicology report.

The 13-year-old that survived suffered "critical cuts," KPTV reported. She was airlifted to a hospital in Portland.

The girl was listed in stable condition on Saturday and was able to speak with detectives.

Father not a suspect

Investigators said the children’s father has been ruled out as a suspect. He is cooperating with the investigation.

A lawyer for the children's father says the girls were supposed to be turned over to their father the very same day.

According to The Oregonian, Greg Smith filed for divorce from Jessica Smith in June and wanted shared custody of their children. A judge ordered that Smith be given parenting rights on Fridays starting July 31st.

Checking surveillance video

Now the FBI is getting involved in the investigation -- providing assistance and resources.

Cannon Beach business owners told KPTV they had been approached by FBI agents over the weekend about surveillance video from their shops.

It's unclear what specifically they were looking for in the video.



Officers first put out an alert Friday that they were searching for the children’s mother Jessica Smith, 40, of Goldendale, Washington and her Chevy Suburban.

The mother's SUV is a gold 2007 Chevy Suburban with Washington license plates APX3141. If you have any information, call police.

A makeshift memorial of balloons, flowers and stuffed animals has formed on the sidewalk in front of the hotel.

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