Investigators with the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations arrested Nytosha Laforce and charged her with second-degree murder Tuesday for the death of her 14-month-old son Peighton Geraw last month.
The toddler died just hours after a visit from the Vermont Department of Children and Families, making him the second child to die because of alleged abuse this year. In February, 2-year-old Dezirae Sheldon of Poultney died of a skull fracture.
The deaths prompted calls for reform of the Department of Children and Families, and Gov. Peter Shumlin said the state "failed" the children.
Laforce is scheduled to appear in court on May 28. According to a police press release, she is already incarcerated on unrelated charges.