MARION - First-degree murder charges were issued Monday in Williamson County Circuit Court against a woman arrested by the Herrin Police Department on suspicion of killing her 3-year-old daughter.

Williamson County State's Attorney Charles Garnati and assistant state's attorney Lisa Irvin said 18-year-old Karrae Star allegedly caused the death of her daughter, Bianca Starr, by covering the child's mouth and nose with her hand.

Karrae Starr appeared in court Monday before Judge John Speroni. Public defender Larry Broeking was appointed her legal counsel. Bail was set at $500,000 or $50,000 cash. A preliminary hearing in the case was set for Oct. 6.

Garnati said a 911 call was placed at 7:40 p.m. Saturday to the sheriff's department and that Herrin police were sent to 6206 Bayer Circle, in the Ten Oaks apartments on the north side of Highway 13.

Garnati would not say if it was the suspect who made the emergency call or whether there were any other persons present in the apartment, but did say that there was "no evidence" of any suspect other than Starr.

An autopsy was performed on the child Sunday in Farmington, Mo., but the state's attorney based his charges on the preliminary report. He said no final report has yet been received.

Earlier Monday at the Ten Oaks apartment complex, neighbors were still reeling from the news of Bianca's death.

Amanda Lemasters said she saw the child Friday huddled under a table in the corner of the upstairs apartment balcony.

"I told my boyfriend that wasn't normal," Lemasters said. "She looked so depressed."

Lemasters said there were several occasions that she can recall in which Starr got into verbal arguments with boyfriends at her apartment. Sherry said she never saw Starr yell at the child or hit her.

Another neighbor, who identified herself only as "Sherry," said she often saw Bianca playing outside and that the child was always seeking a treat.

"Bianca was such a cutie pie," Sherry said. "She would see me with my groceries and ask me, 'Do you have any ice cream in that bag?' I always made sure I had something for her."

A neighbor who refused to identify herself said she had seen Karrae Starr treat the girl poorly and once had to intervene so the child wasn't harmed.