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Woman Pleads Not Guilty To Killing Granddaughter With Sledgehammer

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (STMW) -- A southwest suburban woman accused of killing her 5-month-old granddaughter with a sledgehammer and carving knife pleaded not guilty Thursday.

Alfreda Giedrojc, 62, has been in the Cook County Jail since the brutal Oct. 6, 2012, murder at her home at 6605 W. 91st St. in Oak Lawn.

She is charged with four counts of murder for allegedly hitting Vivian Summers with a sledgehammer, then slashing the baby's throat with a carving knife when the girl was left in her care, police said.

Her attorney, public defender Michael Wilson, asked and received permission from Judge Colleen Hyland to have an interpreter present in meetings with his client. Giedrojc was born in Poland and speaks very little English, Wilson said. An interpreter was present Thursday at the Bridgeview courthouse.

Through the interpreter, she asked the judge if she could get out of jail, where she is being held without bond.

Giedrojc wore a blue jail-issued jumpsuit and blue sneakers in court. Her straight gray hair was neatly combed.

No family members attended the arraignment.

Wilson said it was "too soon" to determine whether his client will claim insanity as a defense. Her next court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 18 in Bridgeview.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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