State police announced late Wednesday night that they have arrested a 25 year old woman on manslaughter charges, in connection with the death of her niece, a six month old girl.

Arrested was Amber K. Simpson, who was charged with manslaughter, second degree. 7 News reporter Matt McClusky, reporting from Carthage Thursday morning, said Simpson was additionally charged with assault, second degree.

A police source told 7 News the child died from a spinal fracture caused by strangulation. The child survived for 14 hours after Simpson assaulted her, the source said.

Simpson was ordered held on $30,000 bail, police said.

Simpson was the guardian of the child who died, according to a source.

State police were expected to release more details at a 1 pm press conference.

Simpson  lives at 232 North School Street (see below) and is also the mother of two young children.

Our earlier report...

New York State Police are investigating the death of a five month old infant in the village of Carthage.

Trooper Jack Keller, public information officer for the state police, told 7 News that investigators are trying to determine if the baby's death occurred under criminal or natural circumstances.

He would not comment further.

Carthage Police Chief Reginald Huber said authorities received a report of an unresponsive, unconscious child at 9:03 p.m. Tuesday.

He declined to give the location.

However, 7 News observed a trooper inside the lower apartment at 232 North School Street in Carthage.

Huber said the baby girl, who had no known illnesses, was transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead.

"We can't really go back and get evidence later, so you have to treat every scene like its suspicious until you know it is not. So we're not saying it is a suspicious death. We're just treating it like it is until we know it isn't," said Huber.

He declined further comment.