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HAVRE, Mont. (AP) - A Chinook day care provider has been charged with negligent homicide in the 2006 drowning of a 6-month-old girl in her care, Blaine County officials said.

Sharon Miller made an initial appearance in District Court in Chinook on Monday. She is scheduled to enter a plea on Aug. 12.

Miller is charged in the Aug. 29, 2006 death of Jenna Unruh.

Court records say Miller left Jenna in a bathing seat in a sink while she went to another room to change the diaper of another infant, who had been crying. When Miller returned, Jenna's head was under water. Efforts by emergency medical technicians and hospital staff to revive her failed.

Blaine County Attorney Don Ranstrom said his office's workload, including a murder case pending when he took office in January 2007, led to the delay in filing charges. He also said he wanted to make sure he followed proper procedures. The charges were filed on July 22.

Ranstrom acknowledged that the delay in filing charges was difficult for the family of the victim.

"I believe it would be even harder to deal with if evidentiary problems came up leading to a lesser conviction or even an acquittal," he said.

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