Woman pleads guilty to drowning 1 daughter, slashing another in Cannon Beach

ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) — A woman charged with killing one daughter and injuring another at a Cannon Beach resort has pleaded guilty to the crimes.


Jessica Smith entered Alford pleas Wednesday to aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder for drowning her 2-year-old and slashing her teenager in 2014.

The 42-year-old from Goldendale entered the pleas after two days of settlement talks. In an Alford Plea, the defendant doesn't admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a conviction.

Smith accepted the evidence against her, "wishing to avoid additional stress and harm" to her surviving daughter, her family and herself.

Smith has said her daughters didn't want to live with her ex-husband and said she killed her toddler to "end her misery."

She will serve at least 40 years in prison and is scheduled for sentencing next week.