Mother charged in 2014 newborn’s death

A Kay County deputy arrested Cara Lynn Cantrell, 26, Wednesday on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of her newborn baby in July 2014.

The newborn, Aliyah Roquel Cantrell, was born and died July 8, 2014, at Ponca City Medical Center, District Attorney Brian Hermanson said. He said the state medical examiner determined the baby girl died of an overdose of methamphetamine in its system at birth.

Cantrell was arrested in a laundromat at South Avenue and Fourth Street, Hermanson said. She also is charged with a felony count of conspiracy to deliver a controlled dangerous substance, methamphetamine, and a felony count of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.

Hermanson said her bond is set at $250,000. She is expected to have her initial court appearance at 1 p.m. Thursday in Kay County District Court.

Cantrell has had more than 10 drug-related offenses in Kay County since 2011, according to court records.