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(CNN) - A 25-year-old woman in central California was arrested and charged with murder after giving birth to a baby born dead. According to the authorities, the baby had toxic levels of methamphetamine in his system.
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The Hanford Police Department said in a press release that Chelsea Cheyenne Becker gave birth to a dead child on September 10 and medical professionals believe he may have been exposed to drugs while pregnant. The death was declared homicide after an autopsy conducted by the Kings County coroner's office found methamphetamine in the baby's system, police said.
Police issued an arrest warrant against Becker and was arrested Tuesday night for a felony of first-degree murder and registered at the Kings County Jail in Hanford early Wednesday, according to records. Your bond has been set at 5 million dollars.
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Becker pleaded not guilty while reading charges this Wednesday morning. A phone call to his lawyer, Robert Stover, was not answered. Court records indicate that your next hearing will be November 19.
Sergeant Justin Vallin of the Hanford Police Department said in an interview with KGPE, a CNN affiliate, that three of Becker's previous children were born with methamphetamine in their systems. Police said they learned through an investigation that they had lost custody of several children due to substance abuse problems.
Julie Lance, Becker's aunt, had already adopted the woman's 3-year-old son and has custody of her one-year-old son. Becker's eldest son, a four-year-old boy, was also adopted, according to KGPE.
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CNN has contacted Vallin and Lance for comments, but has not yet received a response.
Police said Becker admitted to using methamphetamine during his most recent pregnancy up to three days before giving birth.
"The levels of methamphetamine in this baby's system were so high, even for an adult, so we think he was consuming almost all the time he was pregnant," Vallin told KGPE.
Becker's cousin Terra Ordonez said she is optimistic that her cousin will recover.
"I am confident that he straightens and cleanses himself because I know he is smart enough to get out of it," Ordonez told the affiliate. “Hopefully, it will be a revelation for many women who fight. If you are pregnant, shout for help. ”
Methamphetamine