Modesto teenager arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

MODESTO -- An 18-year-old Modesto High School student is in custody on suspicion of attempted murder after a classmate said she threatened to kill her 2-week-old baby.

Cashel Phin told a fellow student Tuesday that she wanted to kill her baby by throwing it into a trash can, according to Modesto police Lt. Jolene Gonzalez.

Police went to the woman's house, where they were told that Phin also swung her purse at the infant and tried to persuade her sister to kill the child by feeding it rat poison.

Phin is being held at the Stanislaus County Safety Center on suspicion of attempted murder. She is to be arraigned Thursday.

The infant reportedly is in protective custody.