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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — A Smyrna woman has been charged with trying to suffocate her 4-year-old son at a Chattanooga hospital.

A Chattanooga police statement Monday said 41-year-old Monica Hammers has been charged with attempted first-degree murder. A jail booking officer said Hammers was released on bond pending a May 31 court hearing and there is no record of her having an attorney.

The police statement said that on May 5, Hammers' son was taken to T.C. Thompson's Hospital for court-ordered medical tests, accompanied by his mother. A witness observed Hammers grab and shake him. When the child started crying, the witness said Hammers placed a pillow over the boy's face for five or six seconds.

Hammers was escorted off the hospital property. The child has been placed in protective custody.