Clay County family mourns 9-month-old baby girl

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — The mother of a 9-month-old who was taken to the hospital while she was at work and later died is not yet ready to talk about the little girl’s death.

Charli Smith and her 2-year-old sister were with Ashley Smith's boyfriend Thursday at Intown Suites on Blanding Boulevard while Smith was at work.

Police were called around 7:30 p.m. and Charli was taken to the hospital. She later died, but few details have been released.

Charli's grandmother spoke out Sunday for the first time. She said Charli's mother isn't ready to talk.

"She hasn't come out and spoke yet because she can't even go out in public right now, without just breaking down," said Christie Exendine. "Every time she sees a baby (or) anything baby-related she breaks down."

Charlie's father, William Smith, went to Orange Park Medical Center to say goodbye to his daughter.

He said Charli had "really bad" bruising on the side of her head.

“She had blood coming out of her ears and a little bit out of her nose,” said Smith.

Charli’s cause of death is pending an autopsy report.

The Department of Children and Families is investigating and placed Charli’s sister in the care of a relative.

No arrests had been made as of Friday.

Cox Media Group