A 12-year-old Washington Parish girl has been arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder by the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The girl, whose name is not being released because of her age, has confessed to trying to killing her sister’s 8-month-old baby because she was jealous of the attention the baby was receiving.

Chief Deputy Mike Haley said investigators responded to a report from the Department of Children and Family Services and began an investigation into the alleged abuse of an infant.

Sheriff’s Officer investigator Terry Harris, assisted by Capt. Tommie Sorrell, conducted the investigation, which revealed that a 12-year-old female attempted to murder the 8-month-old child of her sister.

The 12-year-old female was living in a home with her 16-year-old sister and the infant daughter of the 16-year-old. According to the girl, she was jealous of attention being given to the infant so decided to try and kill the baby by administering liquid medication to the child while the mother of the child was bathing. Two different doses of the medication were given over a two-day period, Haley said.

Adults in the home became concerned because the infant was sleeping for an extended time, Haley said. While being questioned as to why the baby might be in distress, the 12-year-old confessed to her actions, he said.

The baby was taken to Riverside Medical Center and has recovered from the effects of the medication, Haley said.

The 12-year-old was arrested and is currently being held in the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center awaiting further disposition from the juvenile court.

“This is a tragic situation which really troubles me,” said Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal. “I am so pleased the infant is OK and so concerned that a 12-year-old child must now face the future having to deal with the issues she created for herself.”