A woman who reported her 18-month-old daughter missing now says the child died accidentally and that she dumped the body near a freeway, authorities said Friday.
The 23-year-old mother of Emma Leigh Barker told detectives that when her daughter died, she panicked and believed she would be blamed, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Diane Hecht said.
A body found Thursday in Sylmar, a few blocks from Interstate 5, was identified by coroner's officials as Emma. The cause of death was not immediately determined.
The mother, whose name has not been released, initially told investigators that she was knocked unconscious by someone while putting Emma into her car in Lancaster on Wednesday. She said Emma was gone when she awoke partially clad hours later in another city.
Hecht said the mother has told investigators where she dumped Emma's body.
Officials said the mother was not being detained, but the case would be presented to the district attorney's office.
Sheriff's Lt. Pat Nelson said the woman was not a suspect, but added: "That may change as circumstances develop."
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