Mom accused of killing toddler, keeping his body in freezer for weeks

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FLAGSTAFF, AZ. (KPHO/Gray News) - A mother in Arizona was charged after her baby was found dead in a hotel room, authorities said.

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.

Flagstaff police responded to La Quinta Inn and Suites near Huntington Road and Bronco Way, just south of Interstate 40, where Manakaja was staying.

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.

Manakaja was taken into custody.

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.

Manakaja was booked into Coconino County Jail on charges of first-degree murder, child abuse, and concealment of a deceased body.

Her bond was set at $1 million, cash-only, and she was not allowed to contact her other sons.

DCS confirms prior contact with family

The Department of Child Safety confirmed to Arizona’s Family that they received one previous report involving Manakaja and her family in December 2024.

The department said it got a court order to remove the child from the unsafe conditions.

However, DCS said Manakaja’s tribe claimed jurisdiction and assumed custody of the child.

The department says that can happen when a Native American child is involved. In those cases, both the state and the child’s tribe may have authority, and the tribe can request to take over the case at any time.

When that happened, DCS said the state caseworkers are no longer involved.

“The Department extends its deepest sympathies to all those affected by the tragic death of a one-year-old child. Our thoughts are with the child’s loved ones and community during this difficult time,” DCS said in an emailed statement.

Criminal history

Court documents show Manakaja has a criminal history spanning several years, including disorderly conduct, assault allegations and criminal damage cases. She has convictions in 2023 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and DUI.

Forensic psychologist John De La Torre said several factors stand out in the case.

“Just looking at her history, there seems to be an indication of either some underlying severe pathology, meaning like bipolar disorder or something like that,” De La Torre said.

De La Torre said substance abuse and untreated mental illness can intensify emotional instability, especially when someone is isolated or struggling financially.

“It already suggests that there is something really going on with her that she’s really struggling with and maybe doesn’t have any help any family or friends or anything like that, any outside sources that she can kind of lean on. It seems like she kind of maybe does things by herself,” De La Torre said.