CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / ANTELOPE VALLEY

A woman pleaded not guilty Monday to murder and other charges stemming from the death of her 18-month-old daughter Emma Leigh Barker.

Stacey Marie Barker of Quartz Hill is accused of murder and one count each of assault on a child causing death and child abuse. Investigators alleged the 24-year-old woman lied to investigators about the circumstances of her toddler’s death in March. She told investigators she was putting her daughter into a car seat in Lancaster when she was knocked unconscious and her daughter kidnapped.

Barker later admitted that she faked wounds to her head, partly undressed and pretended to be semi-conscious to hide her daughter’s accidental death.

Sheriff’s detectives say evidence suggests Barker suffocated the child, although a final finding by the coroner’s office is still pending.

-- Richard Winton