Baby Kate’s mother says she was not informed about murder charges

LUDINGTON — Ariel Courtland, mother of Katherine “Baby Kate” Phillips said she knew murder charges were inevitable against Sean Phillips, the father of the baby. But, she isn’t happy with the way the charges have gone down.

Courtland, along with several family members, was at today’s press conference, where the Michigan Attorney General and the Mason County Prosecutor announced that open murder charges are being filed against Phillips for the murder of the infant. However, Courtland was never informed about the pending charges and about today’s press conference.

“I found out about today’s press conference from the news,” she told MCP. “I knew this was coming and I’m willing to handle things as they come out. But, I am the voice of Kate, I am her mother and therefore I speak for the victim. I need to be there for her. I’m very upset that law enforcement did not tell me that this was happening. They have been very supportive of me and my family through this whole thing. So, this was disappointing.”

Courtland said she would not comment on her reaction to the news that Phillips is being charged with murdering their daughter, who was 4-months-old at the time she disappeared on June 29, 2011.

“I am Kate’s voice, they should have told me.”