Mom Charged With Killing 4-Year-Old Daughter

A woman was charged today with murdering her 4-year-old daughter earlier this week, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced today.

Akira Smith (dob 9/4/85) was charged in case BA489312 with one count each of murder, torture and assault on a child causing death. Arraignment is scheduled for today in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami of the Complex Child Abuse Section, Family Violence Division, is prosecuting the case.

On or about August 11, the defendant is accused of beating her daughter, Eternity, to death at their home in South Los Angeles. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she died. The criminal complaint also alleges Smith had prior conviction for assault with a deadly weapon in 2016 and injuring a spouse, cohabitant, fiancé or boyfriend in 2014.

Prosecutors are recommending bail be set at $3.05 million. If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a possible maximum sentence of 62 years to life in state prison.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Juvenile Division. About the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office

Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey leads the largest local prosecutorial office in the nation. Her staff of nearly 1,000 attorneys, 300 investigators and 800 support staff members is dedicated to protecting our community through the fair and ethical pursuit of justice and the safeguarding of crime victims' rights.