MAHANOY CITY -- A Schuylkill County woman is on trial this week for allegedly killing a baby.
Pietrina Hoffman walked silently into a Schuylkill County courtroom Tuesday. She is on trial for killing 14-month-old Neveah Doyle in January of 2016.
Doyle was found dead on the floor in Hoffman's home on West Centre Street in Mahanoy City. An autopsy revealed the child died from being smothered to death and had been dead for several hours before police were called.
Hoffman is charged with multiple crimes including third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and aggravated assault.
District Attorney Christine Holman said that Naveah was not related to Hoffman.
According to testimony, Neveah Doyle's mother gave her to a friend at birth. That friend used to date Hoffman's son. She would allow Hoffman to watch the child.
The D.A. said the trial is expected to last all week but says it could wrap up sooner.