Child found hanging from Christmas lights in Central Florida home

Kristen DePasqualle arrested on murder charge in death of daughter

OVIEDO, Fla. – An Oviedo woman was arrested Monday on murder charges in connection with the death of her 1-year old daughter.

Oviedo police said Kristen DePasqualle called 911 Thursday night after she found her daughter, Mia, unresponsive, WKMG-TV reported.

DePasqualle told police that she took a shower and left Mia and her older toddler son in the living room, where they were watching TV.

DePasqualle said she heard her son apologizing for hurting his sister and found Mia unresponsive and partially hanging from a strand of Christmas lights that was wrapped around her neck, according to police.

Police said, however, that there was no evidence that DePasqualle took a shower and there were several inconsistencies in her statements. 

Oviedo police said the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide by strangulation and the girl's injuries appeared to be a result of more force than Mia's brother could have exerted.  

The father of the children is in prison on unrelated charges.