AURORA, Colo.-
A woman accused of child abuse and sexual assault after the death of her 3-year-old daughter has been ordered to undergo a competency evaluation at the state mental hospital.
Police said Susie Ida Quartey’s daughter, Jolyn, had been beaten and stabbed, possibly with a broken towel rack and a hanger.
Quartey, 34, faces charges of sexual assault on a child by someone in a position of trust, assault with a deadly weapon and child abuse-knowingly causing bodily injury.
A judge ordered the competency hearing on Monday.
Prosecutors have said the investigation remains open and additional charges could be filed, but they declined to discuss whether homicide charges were a possibility.
The coroner has said an autopsy was inconclusive. Investigators were awaiting the results of toxicology tests.
Police said Quartey told investigators she was carrying Jolyn in a sling when the child fell out and onto rocks in their back yard. Her attorney, Thomas Miller, has said Quartey did not beat Jolyn.
Authorities said Quartey is from Ghana and was also under an immigration hold because her residency status was unclear. Her next court appearance was scheduled for June 15.
Quartey’s bail was set at $500,000.
The sexual assault charge carries a penalty of four to 12 years in prison and up to life on probation. An assault conviction carries two to six years in prison and the child-abuse charge carries a penalty of six to 18 months in jail.
