Geplaatst: 4 dec 2006 14:13 - Gewijzigd: 4 dec 2006 14:13

Police: Mother microwaved her baby

DAYTON - The investigation into the death of a baby who authorities believe was heated in a microwave oven was difficult because of a lack of research on the effect of microwaves on people, a coroner’s official said.

Audiostream:

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 on Augustus 30, 2005, police said. „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. That conclusion is supported by the Dayton (Ohio, USA) police investigation, he said.

The death was ruled a homicide caused by hyperthermia, or high body temperature. The lack of external burns ruled out an open flame, scalding water, heating pad or other possible cause of death that would have damaged the skin, Betz said.

Arnold’s lawyer, Jon Paul Rion, said she had nothing to do with her daughter’s death. She was stunned when investigators told her that a microwave might have been involved, he said. „China -as a mother and a person- was horrified that such an act could occur”, Rion said. Arnold was arrested initially after the baby’s death, then released. (AP)