A 32-year-old Arizona mother has been accused of killing her 16-month-old son and concealing his body in a freezer for two weeks to mask the odor. Ochra Manakaja was indicted on Thursday on charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, along with 18 counts of child abuse against her son Zion, according to a statement from the Coconino County Attorney's Office.
Manakaja reportedly told 911 dispatchers, "I killed him," before abruptly ending the call, as reported by KPHO. When police arrived at the La Quinta Inn and Suites in Flagstaff, where Manakaja had been staying for weeks, they discovered the toddler's body wrapped in a blanket, plastic, and tape, stuffed inside a clear box in the hotel room freezer.
Details of the Incident
According to authorities, Manakaja admitted to throwing her toddler into his crib on April 29 because she was frustrated with his crying and fussing. The child died two days later, on May 1. Earlier that day, the boy had developed a fever, but Manakaja did not seek medical help for fear of getting into trouble.
Police documents obtained by AZ Family indicate that Manakaja said the boy's symptoms worsened, including vomiting, loss of appetite, and unusual behavior. When she checked on him later, he was not breathing and unresponsive. The cause of death has not yet been determined.
Concealment and Additional Charges
Court documents obtained by Fox 10 Phoenix reveal that Manakaja hid the boy's body in the freezer to prevent the smell from spreading. Her two other children, ages 7 and 9, were also found in the hotel room and were uninjured. It remains unclear whether they were aware of their brother's death.
Prosecutors stated that Manakaja confessed to the crime in a note to her sister, writing, "I killed Zion. I abused him." She also allegedly admitted to the killing on Facebook, messaging a user, "I'm done. Sorry. I confessed. I killed my baby. I abused him. He's dead."
"There is zero doubt about defendant's guilt or the heinousness of her acts," prosecutors said. Manakaja, who has prior convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and DUI, is being held at Coconino County Jail on a $1 million cash-only bond.
