Leavenworth woman charged with murder of her 85-year-old mother

A Leavenworth woman was charged Tuesday with the premeditated murder of her 85-year-old mother.

Anna M. Higgins was found dead Sunday afternoon inside a home in the 1000 block of Sixth Avenue. Police and prosecutors have not said how she was killed.

Leavenworth police said they went to the house after receiving several 911 calls.

Higgins’ daughter, 59-year-old Victoria A. Smith, was at the home when officers arrived and was taken into custody.

On Tuesday afternoon, Smith appeared in Leavenworth County District Court where she was charged with premeditated first-degree murder, said Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson.

Smith requested a court-appointed lawyer at Tuesday’s court hearing. She also asked about her pet cats.

Prosecutors said her pets are being cared for by Leavenworth police.

Smith is to appear again in court Friday.

This story was originally published July 5, 2016 at 3:51 PM with the headline "Leavenworth woman charged with murder of her 85-year-old mother."