Retrial set in Kansas baby’s hair dryer death

? A Hutchinson woman who used a hair dryer to warm her infant daughter on a frigid night faces a second trial next month for the baby’s death from hyperthermia.

Brigit Hippen is charged with second-degree murder in the February 2010 death of 2-month-old Karina Perez. Hippen’s first trial in August ended with a jury unable to agree on a verdict.

KWBW-AM reports that a Reno County judge refused a defense request Wednesday to delay the Jan. 10 retrial.

Hippen is accused of causing the baby’s death by placing a hair dryer by the baby’s crib to blow hot air on the child, then falling asleep for several hours. Doctors have said Karina had a temperature of 108 when she died.

Defense lawyers contend the death was a tragic accident.