A foster mother sits in jail, accused of murdering a seven month old baby. Police say "Baby Charles" died while in Melanie Ochs' care. She's now being charged with murder by child abuse.
The baby died two months ago, but police waited for the coroner's report before making an arrest. When police got that report this week they immediately arrested Ochs. They say a blow to the head killed the baby, and they are confident Ochs is to blame.
Emergency responders came Ochs' house near Fort Apache and Sahara in early August after the infant known as Baby Boy Charles stopped breathing. Police say he died two days later from blunt force trauma.
When Baby Boy Charles died, we spoke to Ochs' neighbors who said they didn't see any signs of abuse, but police say Ochs is the only suspect because she was the only person caring for the baby.
Police say Ochs has no history of abusing any other child, including her two year old daughter and three year old adopted son. They say this case shines a spot light on an often over looked problem.
Ochs two other children are staying with their grandmother and father. This is the 43rd child death this year. Police say six of them were caused by child abuse.
Ochs' lawyer says she will plead not guilty. He says she is a fantastic mother who has been caring for children for 20 years. Right now, she is being held without bail until her bail hearing Monday.
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The foster mother of a baby who died in August is under arrest. Melanie Ochs was taken into custody Thursday afternoon.
She was the foster mother of a seven month old baby boy, Charles, who died in August. The cause of death was head trauma and it was ruled a homicide.
Two other children were in the care of Ochs when Charles died. They were taken into protective custody.