San Jose mother charged in fatal stabbing of baby

A young Northern California mother who was believed to be suffering from depression has been charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of her 7-month-old son.

Alameda County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Teresa Drenick says 23-year-old Ashley Newton of San Jose was charged Tuesday.

East Bay Regional Parks District Police were called at 10:30 a.m. Saturday on reports of an abandoned car in the Del Valle Regional Park.

The car’s engine was still running and its child’s seat was empty.
Officers were about to tow the car when Newton walked up to them holding her lifeless son, William Brian Sherman. She was arrested after making statements implicating herself.

Drenick said Newton’s arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, but she didn’t know whether Newton had a lawyer yet.