Arizona mom Ochra Manakaja allegedly killed infant son

An Arizona Mother Arrested for Allegedly Killing 17-Month-Old Son and Freezing His Body in Hotel Room

An Arizona mom, Ochra Manakaja, 31, is facing serious charges after allegedly killing her 17-month-old son and keeping his body in a hotel freezer for weeks. The disturbing incident took place at the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Flagstaff, where Manakaja was staying with her children.

According to court documents obtained by AZ Family, Manakaja called 911 to report that her son was dead. She chillingly confessed to the dispatcher that she had killed him before abruptly hanging up the call.

When authorities arrived at the hotel room, they made a horrifying discovery – the lifeless body of the toddler wrapped in a blanket, covered in plastic, taped, and placed inside a clear box in the freezer. The child had reportedly been in the freezer for two weeks.

Manakaja’s two other children, aged 9 and 7, were found unharmed in the room. However, the mother now faces charges of first-degree murder, child abuse, and concealment of a dead body.

According to Manakaja’s statement to the police, she confessed that she threw the fussy child into his crib on April 29 when he was not behaving like himself. The child later began vomiting, stopped eating, and appeared weak and pale. Despite his deteriorating condition, Manakaja did not seek medical help, fearing repercussions.

Tragically, the child’s health continued to decline, and he eventually became unresponsive. Instead of seeking help, Manakaja wrapped his body and placed it in the freezer. She later admitted to authorities that she had made a grave mistake and that her son did not deserve to die.

Manakaja, who has a history of criminal offenses including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and DUI, is currently held on a $1 million bond at Coconino County Jail.

The exact cause of the child’s death is still unknown, and the investigation into this heartbreaking case continues.