KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The mother of a 6-month-old child found dead in a hot car in North Knoxville ten weeks ago is now charged with murder.
Chantae Cabrera, 30, was arrested just after midnight in West Knoxville on Friday by members of the Smoky Mountain Fugitive Task Force.
On Aug. 9, the child was found dead in the car parked outside the Food City on Clinton Highway.
Knoxville Police and the Department of Children's Services had released very little information about their investigation until now.
A grand jury indicted Cabrera for 1st Degree Murder, Felony Murder and Aggravated Child Neglect on October 16.
Attorney Don Bosch explains why there are two murder charges for one death.
"Aggravated child abuse and neglect is the underlying charge, that's the first thing and that's the act of leaving a child in a hot car to be injured and to be seriously injured," said Bosch. "In this case that serious injury resulted in death and that's how it gets to Felony First Degree under those corresponding theories."
And First Degree Murder involves pre-meditation.
Both murder charges have a maximum sentence of life in prison, with or without parole.
"If the defendant were convicted under both theories, those counts would merge and it would still result in one life sentence," said Bosch.
Bosch said most hot car deaths aren't premeditated.
It's unlikely these charges will be dropped, but a plea is possible.
And if it goes to the jury, they may sway toward guilty.
"Juries look very dimly on a parent leaving a child in a hot car, in particular with the evidence, in this case, seeming to indicate that the temperatures were in excess of 90 degrees that day," said Bosch.
10News spoke with one of Cabrera's co-workers who said while she hasn't been at work, Cabrera is still employed at Skin Wellness Center in West Knoxville.
Neighbors and daycare workers listed as witnesses in court records could not be reached or declined to comment regarding Cabrera.
No court dates are set at this time.