Just after 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Ochra Manakaja, 31, called 911 and said her 15-month-old was dead, according to court documents.
When the dispatcher asked what happened, she said, “I killed him,” and hung up, court paperwork said.
Two other children, ages 7 and 9, were found uninjured and removed safely from the room.
Manakaja had been staying at the hotel, police said.
Police said they found the toddler’s body wrapped in a tote that was inside a clear plastic box. The body’s temperature was about 26 degrees.
According to police, Manakaja told them she threw the toddler into his crib out of frustration on April 29 because he was crying and fussy.
Court documents said that Manakaja told officers the boy’s symptoms got worse. He started throwing up and not eating, and he looked weak and pale and was “not acting like himself,” police said.
The toddler reportedly developed a fever on May 1, but Manakaja didn’t take him to the hospital or call family members because she was afraid of getting into trouble, court documents said.
When she checked on him while he was on the couch, he was lying face up with his eyes closed and was not breathing, police said. Manakaja reportedly tried to wake him with a cold rag, but it did not work.
When police asked how the toddler died, Manakaja replied he likely choked after throwing up in the morning, when the two older boys had left for school, court documents said.
Court documents said Manakaja remembered the day because she didn’t want to leave, but had to go take a drug test since she was on probation for DUI.
After the drug test, she wrapped the boy in a blanket, covered him in plastic, taped him up and placed him in the freezer for two weeks.
Police said Manakaja told her other sons that the toddler went to the hospital or was at the doctor’s office.
According to court documents, Manakaja expressed remorse multiple times and said she “f***ed” up, adding the boy didn’t deserve to die.
Mom accused of killing toddler, keeping his body in freezer for weeks
A mother in Arizona was charged after her baby was found dead in a hotel room, authorities said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Child Services (DCS) in Arizona told the network it received a report concerning Manakaja and her family in December 2024.
"Following an investigation, the Department determined the child was unsafe and obtained court authorization to take custody," the DCS said. "However, after we removed the child, the mother's tribe asserted jurisdiction and assumed custody of the child."
Her remorse is bullshit ... she thinks it will allow her to get out of trouble and just create another crotch dropping to replace the one she murdered.
Last edited:
