Mother Of Toddler Found Dead In Detroit Apartment Charged With Murder

DETROIT (WWJ) - A Detroit woman has been charged in the death of her 3-year-old son.

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced Wednesday that 28-year-old Deanna Shanta Minor is facing numerous charges including second degree murder, child abuse and failing to report a dead body.

Detroit police were called on Wednesday, May 25, to Minor's apartment in the 4400 block of Trumbull, near Canfield, after a maintenance worker reported a strong odor in the unit.

That's where officers found the decomposed remains of Aaron Minor in a bed. Police said there were "no obvious signs of trauma" to the body and would not theorize as to how the toddler had died.

The mother, who was not present at the time, was found in the psychiatric unit of an area hospital and an "extensive investigation" began spanning more than two months.

The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office has since ruled the boy's death a homicide; but despite an autopsy and toxicology tests, said the cause of death was inconclusive.

In a news release, prosecutors did not provide any details as to what led to the Deanna Minor's arrest, saying that the facts and evidence in the case will be presented at the preliminary examination.

She is scheduled to be arraigned in 36th District Court at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.