Mother Suspect In Child’s Strangling

A strangled child was found on a bathroom floor and her mother, who was found unconscious nearby, was a suspect in the case, police said.

Ada Louise Neilson, 36, was listed in critical condition Monday in Tuality Community Hospital.

Neilson apparently suffered a reaction to medication, said Hillsboro Police Capt. Lila Ashenbrenner. Police had not yet interviewed her.

Police discovered the body of Caroline Sydney, who would have been 2 on Nov. 30, in her mother’s apartment Sunday evening. A foster mother, who had custody of the child, called police when she got no answer at the door to Neilson’s apartment.

The girl was on a temporary visit with Neilson.

Neilson initially lost custody of Caroline in August 1995 after she swam with the child to an island in the Columbia River in Gilliam County, Ashenbrenner said. The mother and daughter stayed on the island for several days with no shelter, food or drinking water, she said.

Neilson was convicted of recklessly endangering the child, and placed on five years probation.

She regained custody of Caroline in July, but lost the child again Oct. 14. Ashenbrenner did not know why the child was returned to her original foster family.