The mother of baby Roselana, who drowned in a bath in Cospicua last week, was taken to court this afternoon and accused of involuntary homicide.

The woman, 17, had tears in her eyes as she pleaded not guilty. The court ordered that she be remanded at the Forensics Unit of Mt Carmel Hospital.

The nine-month old baby girl drowned on Friday after reportedly being left alone in the bath.

The incident happened at a house in the Cospicua area known as Fuq San Pawl.

Sources said the mother, aged 17, was at a friend’s house bathing her daughter before she was due to hand her to her father, who is estranged from the mother.

She left the room briefly, leaving the baby unattended. By the time she returned, it was too late.

During this afternoon’s arraignment, the defence pleaded for bail and suggested that the woman may live with her mother. The woman was heard saying she did not wish to go to Mt Carmel.

Police Inspector Robert Said Sareo said he had spoken to psychiatrist Joseph Spiteri. He said that although the girl had been released from hospital after three days of treatment following the death of her daughter, further treatment was needed and it was in her best interests to be kept at Mt Carmel Hospital.

The inspector said that immediately after the death of the girl, the accused wanted to kill herself.  Furthermore the police were investigating whether the accused, while in in hospital, made threats against the baby's father.

Outside the court room the woman started screaming and crying that she was not mad and that her daughter was the love of her life. She was eventually carried to the police lock-up.

The parents of the accused was seen arguing with the prosecuting  police inspector.

The name of the accused cannot be published by court order, since she is a minor.

See also I wish I had died instead of my girl http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120902/local/-I-wish-I-had-died-instead-of-my-girl-.435229