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Smothered daughter at night

A Surrey woman accused of killing her eight-year-old daughter told police she wanted her "to sleep with Jesus," according to police interview tapes that have been released in court. 

Lisa Batstone is facing second-degree murder charges, and told police in a videotaped interview "I wanted to protect her and I just wanted her and I both to be gone and be in heaven," according to CTV News.

The girl, Teagan, was found dead in the back of a car Dec. 10, 2014 in South Surrey, after being smothered earlier in the morning. 

Bastone's police interview lasted two hours, and included a description of the death. 

Sgt. Darren Carr: "...how did it happen?"

Batstone: "I smothered her while she was sleeping."

Carr: "You smothered her while she was sleeping?"

Batstone: "In the middle of the night."

Batstone's lawyers are arguing that she may have had a mental disorder, and could have been influenced by alcohol and prescription drugs. They have asked the judge to consider a manslaughter charge, rather than second-degree murder. 

But the Crown say Batstone knew what she was doing and may have been motivated by resentment of her ex husband. 

"I wanted to die and I didn't want to abandon her and leave her to him," she told police in the taped interview. 

Gabe Batstone, Teagan's father, described his communication with his ex wife as challenging and combative during testimony in December. He had attempted to get temporary custody of Teagan after a suicide attempt by his wife in 2012, but was unsuccessful. 

A decision in the case is expected Mar. 22. 

-with files from CTV Vancouver



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