Mother arraigned in infant son’s death

Staff report

SALEM

Miranda V. Todd has been arraigned on charges of homicide, involuntary manslaughter and endangering children in the death of her 7-month-old son, Derek Dennison.

She appeared Thursday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court where Judge C. Ashley Pike continued her $250,000 bond.

She had been indicted in January.

Todd has been in the Columbiana County Jail since December after Salem Police Department Detective David Talbert said that there were indications she might leave Ohio.

The boy was taken to Salem Community Hospital and was pronounced dead about 12:38 a.m. July 23, 2010. Derek’s death was ruled a homicide.

Columbiana County Coroner Dr. William Graham’s autopsy and investigation report on the boy indicated a pattern of abuse.

Authorities said Todd had been living on North Ellsworth Avenue in Salem. She also gave an address on McCracken Road in Salem Township.