VALDOSTA — Two women indicted on murder charges in the death of a 10-year-old girl in 2023 have entered not guilty pleas, the district attorney said.

Jodie Herndon Everidge, 38, of Hahira and Vangela Pike Vickers, 38, of Valdosta had been indicted April 24 by the Lowndes County Grand Jury on charges of murder in the second degree, two counts each of cruelty to children in the second degree, homicide by vehicle in the first degree, driving under the influence (Less safe — alcohol), and endangering a child while driving under the influence, the indictment shows. Everidge was also indicted for tampering with evidence and open container, according to the indictment.

Both Everidge and Vickers pleaded “not guilty” in the death of Autumn Schmid, 10, said District Attorney Brad Shealy.

The indictment said Schmid was allowed to sit on the windowsill of a moving vehicle; the child struck a tree, causing fatal injuries, the indictment said.

At 7:36 p.m. April 15, 2023, a Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office deputy headed to the 5000 block of Bland Dairy Road on a call about a child in cardiac arrest, a sheriff’s office report said.

The deputy found Schmid in a ditch and a car that appeared to have been in a collision.

The girl’s mother, Vickers, was performing CPR on the child, the report said. Everidge was standing nearby with Schmid’s sister.

The deputy rendered aid with a defibrillator until EMTs arrived. Everidge told the deputy the child’s cardiac event happened after the accident, the sheriff’s office said.

Georgia State Patrol troopers arrived and began searching nearby woods, finding alcoholic beverages, the report said. Everidge was indicted for tampering with evidence on grounds of trying to conceal a bag holding four wine containers, one of which was open and empty, the indictment said.