Police Say Mother Microwaved Her Baby

[Michelle]

Police Say Mother Microwaved Her Baby

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) - A mother was arrested on suspicion of murdering her newborn daughter by microwaving the baby in an oven. China Arnold, 26, was jailed Monday on a charge of aggravated murder, more than a year after she brought her dead month-old baby to a hospital. Bail was set Tuesday at $1 million.

"We have reason to believe, and we have some forensic evidence that is consistent with our belief, that a microwave oven was used in this death," said Ken Betz, director of the Montgomery County coroner's office.

He said the evidence included high-heat internal injuries and the absence of external burn marks on the baby, Paris Talley.

Arnold was arrested soon after the baby's death in August 2005, then was released while authorities investigated further. 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."

The death was ruled homicide by hyperthermia, or high body temperature. The absence of external burns ruled out an open flame, scalding water or a heating pad as the cause, Betz said.

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 baby sitter, Rion said. The mother didn't sense anything out of the ordinary until the next morning, when the child was found unconscious, Rion said.

The baby's father, Terrell Talley, 26, said his daughter was fine when he and Arnold arrived home after leaving her in the care of the baby sitter, his sister.

"When I went in the house, my baby was sitting in the car seat; she was asleep and she was alive," he said. "The baby sitter ain't had nothing to do with it."

A message seeking comment was left for his sister, Lionda Talley.

Arnold has three other children.

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 that Otte suffered from epilepsy and that her seizures were followed by blackouts.

[crosvs]

WTF.

ok, either:

(1) other countries in the world just don't have so much violence

(2) other countries in the world don't publicize such violence

(3) other countries in the world DO publicize such violence and we just don't get the news

(4) our media explicitly focuses on such violence: e.g., nearly EVERY aircraft accident in America makes the news, but *NOT* every car accident

Seriously, I think we hear about an outrageous crime -- school shooting, morbid domestic killings, etc -- at LEAST a few times per month, if not per week.

What is going on?!?!??!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Eric5273]

Originally Posted by crosvs

WTF.

ok, either:

(1) other countries in the world just don't have so much violence

(2) other countries in the world don't publicize such violence

(3) other countries in the world DO publicize such violence and we just don't get the news

(4) our media explicitly focuses on such violence: e.g., nearly EVERY aircraft accident in America makes the news, but *NOT* every car accident

Seriously, I think we hear about an outrageous crime -- school shooting, morbid domestic killings, etc -- at LEAST a few times per month, if not per week.

What is going on?!?!??!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#1 & #4

[China Man]

[Aimster]

w t f?

good thing I am not a cop in the case, good for me and her.

[JV]

That would be a horrible way to go

Microwaves vibrate the water molecules in a substance, causing intense friction and heat. Try not to imagine what that would do to a human body.

[Scottie]

I read the first couple lines. It shocked me so much I couldn't read anymore that is just awful terrible.

What punishment is out there to fit that crime. the mother should be microwaved I think shocking

[bozo]

I was on cnn.com a few minutes before I logged on here, and when I saw it (the title), I knew I should have read it, but couldnt bring myself to do so. One things for sure, fair judges deserve their paycheck, 'cause I would have to hang every one of these sick f*&#ers. Andrea Yates, Susan Smith, all the "garbage bag" mothers, etc. Disgusting.

[Wagner]

too sick.

[bozo]

Originally Posted by WagnerX5

too sick.

Um, whats going on in the avatar?! Or should I say, "who"?