The mother of an 8-year-old girl has been charged in her murder in the Uptown neighborhood earlier this week, police said.
Andreal Hagler, 38, was charged with first-degree murder and was expected to appear before a judge later Friday, police said.
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Hagler told police she placed a plastic bag over Amaria Osby’s head, causing her to asphyxiate, according to a police report. The 8-year-old also had visible bruises on her leg.
Hagler was arrested at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at their home in the 4600 block of North Winthrop Avenue, minutes after Amaria was found dead there.
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Amaria was pronounced dead at 11:23 a.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Hagler had been taken to nearby Weiss Memorial Hospital, where she had been reported in good condition but police did not say what type of injuries she suffered.
A Thursday autopsy to determine the cause and manner of Amaria’s death was inconclusive and still pending, the medical examiner’s office said.
According to the police report, Hagler had a meeting scheduled with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on Tuesday.
The principal of a nearby elementary school in Uptown sent a letter home Wednesday informing students, parents and guardians a child enrolled at the school had died. The letter did not say the age or gender of the student and it was not immediately clear whether Amaria attended the school.
“This loss is sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for the entire school, especially our students. The Chicago Public Schools’ crisis management unit will work with our own counselor, social worker, and psychologist to provide grief counseling and support to students and staff members. If your child expresses any concern(s), please contact us so that we can provide additional support,” the letter said.
Check back for details.
rsobol@chicagotribune.com
