Mom blamed blackout in microwave death of baby

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A Northern California woman accused of killing her baby in a microwave initially told investigators she blacked out, but later acknowledged she lied and said she might have a split personality, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Ka Yang, 29, is scheduled to be arraigned today on charges of murder and assault resulting in the death of a child under the age of 8. It’s not clear whether she has an attorney.

Authorities found Yang’s 6-week-old daughter, Mirabelle Thao-Lo, dead in the family home in Sacramento three months before Yang’s arrest Tuesday. They say the child suffered “extensive thermal injuries.”

The girl was burned from head-to-toe, but authorities could not find an obvious source for the burns when they arrived at the home, according to the affidavit by Sacramento Police Detective Thomas Shrum.

The infant’s pajamas and hair were not singed. A pacifier, however, was found in the microwave, Shrum said.

Yang allegedly told investigators she blacked out while working on the computer with Thao-Lo in her arms. Although she had a history of seizures, paramedics did not find her to be disoriented when they arrived, according to the affidavit.

When detectives pointed out inconsistencies in her story, Yang allegedly acknowledged she lied and said she might have a split personality.

Police interviewed Yang’s family and co-workers as well as pathologists who have worked on microwave burn cases in the months after the infant’s death. They have not established a possible motive.

“Nothing [Yang] gave us explained what led up to the baby being killed,” police spokesman Norm Leong told the Sacramento Bee.

Yang is being held without bail at Sacramento County jail.

Her other three children, all under age 7, were removed from the home the day their sister was found dead. They are now living with relatives.