An Athens woman has been arrested tonight on a charge of capital murder in the 2016 death of her 4-year-old daughter, an official said.

Stephanie Diane Smith, also known as Stephanie Diane Cooper, 25, of 12166 Lakeview St., was arrested on the charge this evening, Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said.

Smith’s daughter died in July 2016 at Huntsville Hospital.

“Investigators are continuing to work on the case at this time, and I can’t release any more information at this time,” Johnson said.

Although typically a person is charged with capital murder when they murder someone in the commission of another crime, such as robbery, sexual assault and others. However, under Alabama law, a person can be charged with capital murder if he or she murders a child under age 14. 

She is currently being booked at the Police Department and then will be transferred to the Limestone County Jail until bail is set. In Alabama, a judge can deny bail to a person charged with capital murder.

A press conference will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at City Hall, at which time investigators are expected to release more information about the case.