Beaufort County mother faces first-degree murder charge in death of 6-week-old, abuse of second child

A 21-year-old mother from Washington has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder Tuesday in the death of her infant and the abuse of another child, police say.

Briasia Somerville faces charges of first-degree murder and felony child abuse in connection with the infant's death.

On September 2, the Washington Police Department was informed about the suspicious death of a 6-week-old boy.

The infant had been treated at ECU Beaufort County the previous day before being taken to ECU Medical Center, where he later died.

An autopsy showed injuries consistent with abuse, and the death was ruled a homicide, according to police.

The investigation led detectives to get arrest warrants for Somerville, who is also facing an additional felony child abuse charge for injuries to her 5-year-old child.

Somerville was taken into custody and is currently being held without bond at the Beaufort County Detention Center.