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Montco Woman To Stand Trial On Involuntary Manslaughter, Other Charges In 2-Year-Old's Death

By Jim Melwert

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., (CBS) -- A Montgomery County mother will stand trial on involuntary manslaughter and other charges. This after heartbreaking testimony at her preliminary hearing in King of Prussia.

Prosecutors allege she failed to seek medical treatment after her daughter swallowed dangerous prescription drugs.

An excerpt from a report written by a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia doctor was read into evidence. It says child who ingested the pills that killed two-year-old Trinity Griffith would be saved with simple medical care – even by just putting an oxygen mask on the child's face.

But prosecutors allege instead of seeking medical help when she saw her daughter swallow part of a Subutex pill, 35-year-old Christina Griffith laid down on a bed with her daughter and fell asleep, when she woke up, the two-year-old was dead.

Her attorney Benjamin Cooper says Griffith loved the girl, but she made a mistake, he says while the evidence supports Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

"As far a murder case or a homicide case, that is too much," said Cooper.

Next up for Griffith, a formal arraignment scheduled for next month.

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