Cops Suspect Microwave Was Murder Weapon

Mom, Arrested, Says She's Innocent; Weeks-Old Baby Died Of Burns

(AP)  Authorities in Dayton, Ohio, have arrested the mother of a baby girl who died in August 2005 due to high body temperature.

"We have reason to believe and scientific evidence to support that a microwave oven might have been involved in the death of this child," said Ken Betz, director of the Montgomery County, Ohio, coroner's office.

Police say China Arnold, 26, was arrested at her home Monday on a charge of aggravated murder, more than a year after she brought her dead month-old baby to a hospital.

At the time, Paris Talley's death was ruled a homicide caused by hyperthermia, or high body temperature, because of burns. Arnold was arrested initially, then released.

Betz said the case was difficult because "there is not a lot of scientific research and data on the effect of microwaves on human beings."

There was a lengthy investigation before prosecutors found enough probable cause to issue another arrest warrant, said Greg Flannagan, a spokesman for the county prosecutor's office.

Arnold's lawyer, Jon Paul Rion, said his client had nothing to do with her child's death and was stunned when investigators told her that a microwave might have been involved.

"China — as a mother and a person — was horrified that such an act could occur," Rion said.

The night before the baby was taken to the hospital, Arnold and the child's father went out for a short time and left Paris with a babysitter, Rion said. The mother didn't sense anything out of the ordinary until the next morning, when the child was found unconscious, Rion said.

Rion declined to say what the couple told hospital officials at the time.

Arnold, who has three other children, is being held in the Montgomery County jail and plans to plead not guilty, according to her lawyer.

In 2000, a Virginia woman was sentenced to five years in prison for killing her month-old son in a microwave oven.

Elizabeth Renee Otte claimed she had no memory of cramming her son in the microwave and turning on the appliance in 1999. Experts said Otte suffered from epilepsy and that her seizures were followed by blackouts.

[wetpaint519]

It is sad that, with so many people that are unable to have children, a mother would even think of doing this to her child.

[labraddock]

If they have the death penalty and the law allows this for that charge, I would support that decision. This is unacceptable. Give the child up for adoption do not punish an innocent child with death because it is unwanted or for any other reason. This makes me sick. She should pay with just as serious of a sentence.

[kailumego1]

Andrea Yates, Susan Smith, etc, etc, believe it or not, you have some women/men, who have come from some really dysfunctional environments, and not to make excuses, however, although this crime is particularly heinous, it is obvious, if she did it, she is a deeply disturbed human being.

My question is, to anyone, and everyone, why does it have to get this bad, before this type of maladaptive behavior is recognized. Where were the community leaders, the church, the teachers, and most of all the parents? This isn%u2019t the first case of child abuse/neglect, and it won%u2019t be the last.

So, my argument is to those close within the community, when, and if, you suspect something like this is occurring why not notify the authorities, or try to reach out to individual, encouraging him/her to seek help.

[kailumego1]

We can all sit back and proselytized what a terrible person she is, and rightfully so, but how about directing this rage to a more constructive vehicle, like reporting suspected abuse or neglect. A fact, 1 in 4 girl has been sexually, physically, or emotionally abused, it is lower for boys, which encompasses all facets of socio-economical status.

Unfortunately, a lot of single-mothers are from poor minority neighborhoods, with little or no, stewardship by the churches, communities, or parents. Most, of these young girls have babies when they are in middle-to-high-school, in which, very often, it is not uncommon for them to have accumulated 4+ children below the age of 30, and without any assistance from outside sources, particularly, the father[s].

And while it is a shame, because the children are the one%u2019s who suffer the most, these young women are getting absolutely no guidance or stewardship, which would have helped her make better choices, like use birth-control.

[processor2]

This story (if true), is something even liberals & conservatives can agree on.

This crime is horrific and INEXCUSABLE..

..a defense attorney better not tell us how bad this mother's life was.....No one will care....

WHAT THIS WOMAN DID TO THAT POOR BABY WAS INEXCUSABLE

[texaskos_com]

FYI, since it was censored:

So, a p***s means freedom from responsible birth control and parenting. And a vag*** means you can be stripped of rights, farmed into "educational institutions", and spayed like feral cats.

[texaskos_com]

"I still think mandatory birth control, whether white, black, red or whatever color, if after the first born, and on welfare or no husband, mandatory birth control, end of story. Also should be mandatory parenting classes tied to welfare checks."

http://www.texaskos.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2141

Wow. You've given me so much material. Where do I start? First, WHY did you assume that this *black* woman is on welfare? And if you did not assume that, then why even bring welfare up? What made you jump to welfare?

40% of today%u2019s moms are to single. Are they all welfare bums? Are single women incapable of being good parents w/o a man? Financially incapable (good argument for equal pay)? What about single professional women? Do you really believe that 40% of American mothers are welfare abusing, legs spreading, incapable parents?

Or do they just need a man to, um, round them out or something like that? Why shouldn't men be required to be snipped/neutered after THEY have a baby? Why should a woman be soley responsible for birth control? (I'm a guy btw) And of course, that because they have a ***, it gives the state the authority to take away their civil liberties, which is what you are claiming is ok by making it "mandatory".

So, a *** means freedom from responsible birth control and parenting. And a *** means you can be stripped of rights, farmed into "educational institutions", and spayed like feral cats.

This was a horrible crime but myopic beliefs like this make it worse.

[processor2]

This story (if true), is something even liberals & conservatives can agree on.

This crime is horrific and INEXCUSABLE..

..a defense attorney better not tell us how bad this mother's life was.....No one will care....

WHAT THIS WOMAN DID TO THAT POOR BABY WAS INEXCUSABLE

[crystalblue3]

I am absolutely horrified that someone would even think of doing something like this.

I thought I had just about heard it all when it came to the atrocities people can dream up but this one is the worst.

I wish I had skipped this story because I think it's going to give me nightmares.

[mjv2944]

I still think mandatory birth control, whether white, black, red or whatever color, if after the first born, and on welfare or no husband, mandatory birth control, end of story. Also should be mandatory parenting classes tied to welfare checks. ACLU can have a hay day with this one, but they have to have a reason for all that fund raising that they do. Its not fair to the child to be subjected to a life of poverty with too few chances of getting out.