“All our hopes and prayers are with her, we're hoping for the best and we're hoping this was accidental and not purposely done,” said Judith Compton, Downing’s mother.
Downing also has a 3 year old son, Isaac, that his father has custody of. The boy’s paternal grandmother says downing gave up her son about a year and a half ago saying she could no longer care for the boy.
“I was shocked when it first happened I was angry because I though that could have been Isaac,” said Debby Tafoya, the boy’s biological paternal grandmother. Tafoya thinks what happened with the newborn girl in October is a result of mental health issues.
“She's got mental problems Danielle is supposed to be on depression meds and stuff and she's not taking them,” said Tafoya.
“In order for us to charge a case, we have to believe there’s sufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. We believe we have that information we believe we have that evidence and we will go forward. It's the job of a defense attorney to bring up mental health issues, if there actually are mental health issues,” said Shani Jenkins, the Assistant District Attorney,
Tafoya says downing has a troubling past with her three year old son. “She tried smothering him when he was just a newborn. And the sister pulled the pillow off and isaac to this day is scared to death of a pillow,” said Tafoya.
Family members think the three year olds father may have also been the newborn girls dad, Downing has an on and off relationship with him. A paternity test has not been performed.
Downing will be in court again march 16th, she is being held with no bail. If convicted she can face 25 years to life for each count against her.