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Modesto teen charged with trying to poison baby
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MODESTO  (AP) — A judge entered a not guilty plea Friday on behalf of a Modesto teenager who is charged with trying to kill her newborn daughter with rat poison after seeking others to do it for her.

Cashel Sophia Phin, 18, is charged with attempted murder, solicitation of murder and poisoning. She made a video appearance in Stanislaus County Superior Court, where Judge Valli Israels assigned her a public defender and ordered her back to court May 17.

Phin remained in custody on $1.6 million bail.

Officers went to Phin's home Wednesday after a Modesto High School classmate reported that Phin spoke of wanting to kill her 1-month-old child by throwing her in a trash can.

Officers found that Phin had placed rat poison in the infant's bottle. They also were told that Phin swung a purse at the baby and that she tried to persuade at least two family members to do the poisoning, according to Modesto police Lt. Jolene Gonzalez.

The child did not appear to be seriously injured. Israels denied arguments by prosecutors that an enhancement of inflicting great bodily injury should be added to Phin's attempted murder charge because symptoms from the poisoning could show up later.

The child has since been placed into the care of relatives, who said after the hearing that the baby was healthy and safe.