A Mississippi woman has been arrested for repeatedly slamming her eight-week-old baby on a city street in front of stunned passersby.

The incident took place on Bierdeman Road in the city of Pearl in Rankin County located in the US state of Mississippi at around 2pm on 12th May.

The police said the suspect, Makaylia Shaylynn Jolley, 20, was seen forcibly and repeatedly throwing the infant on the road.

By the time officers arrived on the scene, the fatally injured tot was being held by a bystander while the mother fled into a nearby wooded area.

Pearl Police Department said on 12th May: “Pearl Police have arrested and currently charged Makaylia Shaylynn Jolley, 20, of Pearl, with attempted murder and felony child abuse of her 8-week-old daughter.

“Several 911 calls came in to Pearl Police at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 12, saying a woman had repeatedly and forcibly thrown a baby on the roadway at 775 N. Bierdeman Rd.

“When officers arrived they found another woman holding a severely injured child. The Pearl Fire Department and Pafford Ambulance Service arrived and immediately began first aid.

“Jolley had run in to a nearby wooded area and was chased back towards Bierdeman Rd. where she was taken into custody.

“Pearl officers escorted the ambulance carrying the infant to Children’s Hospital of Mississippi in Jackson.”

Despite fighting for her life in hospital, the police confirmed on Saturday that the baby had succumbed to her injuries.

Police chief Dean Scott said that patrol officers and narcotics cops are “very familiar” with the young woman.

The investigation is ongoing and the police called on members of the public to come forwards with any information about the case.