The woman accused of killing her 4-month-old infant daughter in Nicholas county admitted to abusing the child since birth, according to a criminal complaint filed in Nicholas County Magistrate Court.

Ashley Nicole Hanna, 21 of Mount Nebo, told West Virginia State Police she hit her daughter, Cambria Mae Lawrence, when she became enraged because the baby was crying. She also admitted to grabbing the baby and squeezing hard enough to cause bruising.

Hannah told police that on Friday she hit the baby on the face hard enough to cause swelling, according to the complaint.

On Saturday, the infant was sitting on the couch and started to cry. Hanna placed her on the couch in a corner, propped up by a pillow. The baby continued crying and Hanna jerked her off the couch, causing the infant's head to snap back violently.

Hanna took the baby and placed her in a crib. The father, who is not named in the criminal complaint, then took the baby and placed it in the bed. He then went to sleep in the living room with the baby still crying.

When the father woke up, he found his daughter blue and cold to the touch, according to the complaint.

The father attempted CPR and an ambulance was called.

Hanna also told police she knew striking the infant and abusing her was wrong, but she did it anyway, according to the complaint.

Reach Gary Harki at gha...@wvgazette.com or 348-5163.

Ashley Nicole Hanna, 21 of Mount Nebo, told West Virginia State Police she hit her daughter, Cambria Mae Lawrence, when she became enraged because the baby was crying. She also admitted to grabbing the baby and squeezing hard enough to cause bruising.

Hannah told police that on Friday she hit the baby on the face hard enough to cause swelling, according to the complaint.

On Saturday, the infant was sitting on the couch and started to cry. Hanna placed her on the couch in a corner, propped up by a pillow. The baby continued crying and Hanna jerked her off the couch, causing the infant's head to snap back violently.

Hanna took the baby and placed her in a crib. The father, who is not named in the criminal complaint, then took the baby and placed it in the bed. He then went to sleep in the living room with the baby still crying.

When the father woke up, he found his daughter blue and cold to the touch, according to the complaint.

The father attempted CPR and an ambulance was called.

Hanna also told police she knew striking the infant and abusing her was wrong, but she did it anyway, according to the complaint.

Reach Gary Harki at gha...@wvgazette.com or 348-5163.