Foster Mother Pleads Innocent in Girl’s Death

A Gardena woman pleaded innocent Wednesday to murder in the beating death of her 2-year-old foster daughter.

Cookie Smith, 22, entered the plea to charges of murder, child abuse and assault on a child causing death.

She was arrested Tuesday when she showed up outside court for the arraignment of her boyfriend, Manuel Garay, who pleaded innocent to the same charges. Each suspect was held on $1-million bail and could face life in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors contend that Garay, 21, caused head injuries that killed Jasmine Garcia on Saturday.