Trafalgar woman formally charged for 3-year-old son's death

A Johnson County mother was formally charged Monday for the drowning death of her 3-year-old son. 

Amanda Smith, 33, faces one count of murder for reportedly drowning her son, Jacob Smith. She also faces an attempted murder charge for allegedly swinging an ax at police shortly after her son's death.

Jacob Smith's lifeless body was found in his mother's apartment in Trafalgar Feb. 27.

In the probable cause affidavit, Smith told police she had given the boy a bath and let him play in the bathtub.

“I gently leaned him back and pushed his face into the water and held him down. I wanted to save him from any of the horrible things that might happen to him in the future," said Smith. “He didn't struggle or fight. He didn't cry. If he had showed me he wanted his life, I wouldn't have taken it.”

Smith told police she took Jacob out of the tub but put him back under after he started coughing and trying to breathe again, according to the probable cause affidavit. She said she then took him to the bedroom and wrapped him in a blanket.

She said she could hear him rasping when she put him on the bed. Smith then said she put her hands over his mouth and hand until the rasping stopped and his chest stopped moving.

A vigil for Jacob Smith was held Thursday. A memorial service was also held Friday.

Smith could face additional charges for reportedly attacking a jail guard last week.