Hearing Delayed For Mother Charged In Son's Death

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - A Boulder County woman accused of smothering her baby because she thought he was autistic is being evaluated, delaying a hearing to determine whether she's competent to stand trial for first-degree murder.

The Daily Camera reports the hearing for Stephanie Rochester was delayed Thursday until June 14.

Rochester is at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo. She has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of her 6-month-old son, Rylan, last June at her home in Superior.

Police say Rochester told them she smothered her son because she believed he was autistic and didn't think she and her husband could handle a disabled child. She worked as a counselor with autistic children.

Her husband has filed for divorce and is suing Rochester for wrongful death.

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