Tenn. mother of missing 7-week-old wants charges dismissed

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The lawyer for a Memphis woman charged with abuse and neglect in the case of her missing 7-week-old daughter said Monday that the charges against his client should be dropped.

Andrea Walker, 33, has been charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect after her daughter, Aniston Walker, was reported missing Thursday. Andrea Walker was in General Sessions Court on Monday, where her attorney, Leslie Ballin, filed a motion asking for dismissal of the current charges.

Ballin said the affidavit fails to provide enough facts to support the charges levied against Walker.

“There is an assumption… that she is responsible for serious bodily injury on this child,” Ballin told reporters outside the courtroom. “Where is the proof?”

Police charged Walker after interviewing her, and the affidavit states that the baby may have suffered “serious bodily injury.” Police Director Toney Armstrong has said that the mother has not been as cooperative as investigators would like in their efforts to find her missing daughter.

Judge William C. Turner set a Jan. 21 hearing on the motion. Ballin said an additional homicide-related charge could be filed against Walker.

“Do not rush to judgment,” Ballin said.