Toddler, alone for at least five days, survives beside remains of mother

ATLANTA (AP) -- A 22-month-old girl named Miracle was found standing beside the decomposing remains of her pregnant mother, surviving alone for at least five days before police broke down their door, authorities said.

Police responding to a report of a foul odor Sunday discovered the toddler next to Lawarna Stevenson, 26, police spokesman Sgt. John Quigley said Monday.

An autopsy indicated Stevenson died from complications of diabetes and hypertension.

The little girl was malnourished, dehydrated and soiled although there was evidence she may have found food in the pantry and drank some soda, Quigley said.

She was in stable condition Monday at Hughes Spalding Children's Hospital. A relative has come forward to care for the child, Quigley said.

Mike Alsip, a Fulton County medical examiner's office investigator, said the degree of decomposition indicated the pregnant Stevenson had been dead at least five days.

However, police said she may have died as long as 10 days earlier. Quigley said the landlord dropped off a package at her door June 8, and that unopened mail was postmarked June 3.

Arlethia Merriweather, a relative with whom Stevenson briefly lived, said the woman had another daughter in foster care.