Trial starts for Ohio mom in microwaved baby case

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio woman is on trial for the third time on a charge of killing her infant daughter in a microwave oven.

Attorneys made opening statements today in 31-year-old China Arnold’s Dayton trial. Arnold is charged with aggravated murder in the August 2005 death of 28-day-old Paris Talley.

Arnold’s first trial ended in a mistrial. She was found guilty in the second trial, but the conviction was reversed last fall.

The Dayton Daily News reports that a prosecutor today said Arnold was the only caregiver at home when the baby died and later told her boyfriend she killed her baby.

A defense attorney says Arnold didn’t know then how her baby died and thought she might have rolled over on her. The defense argues that Arnold passed out from intoxication and someone else killed the baby.