Husband Testifies in Case of Woman Who Cut Off Baby's Arms

McKINNEY, Texas – A woman accused of killing her infant daughter by cutting off the girl's arms had said a few days earlier that she wanted to "give the baby to God," her husband testified Tuesday.

Dena Schlosser, 37, was leaving church about a week before the girl's November 2004 death when she said she wanted to give Maggie to pastor Doyle Davidson, John Schlosser said.

"She said, 'I want to give the baby to Doyle.' She said 'I want to give the baby to God,"' said Schlosser, who has filed for divorce.

He also testified at his wife's murder trial that she showed other disturbing behavior following Maggie's birth — including cutting her own wrists with scissors — but that he didn't worry too much or take her to counseling. John Schlosser said she had had bouts with depression after the birth of their other two daughters.

The testimony came on the second day of Dena Schlosser's murder trial, which hinges on whether she knew right from wrong. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty.

The defense has entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Dena Schlosser was arrested in 2004 after she told a 911 operator she had severed her baby's arms. Police found Schlosser in the living room, covered in blood, still holding a knife.

On Monday, she slumped forward and stared at her hands as prosecutors played jurors the recording of the 911 call.

"Exactly what happened?" 911 operator Steve Edwards asked.

"I cut her arms off," Schlosser replied as a gospel song played in the background.

After her arrest, Schlosser was diagnosed with manic depression. In February 2005, a jury deliberated only a few minutes before deciding Schlosser was mentally incompetent to stand trial and she was committed to North Texas State Hospital. But in May, a judge decided Schlosser was competent.

Her two surviving daughters, ages 6 and 9, are in their father's custody.

Schlosser had been accused of child neglect in the months before Margaret's death, but a state investigation found she did not pose a risk to the 10-month-old or her other two daughters.

Texas' troubled Child Protective Services came under intense scrutiny after a number of high-profile child abuse deaths, including the Schlosser case.

The Health and Human Services Commission, which oversees CPS, laid out more than 160 recommendations last year to overhaul the agency.