A 31-year-old Arizona woman is facing multiple felony charges after police said her 15-month-old son was found dead inside a freezer at a hotel room in Flagstaff.
Court documents released in the case describe a lengthy investigation that began after a 911 call on May 17, during which the child’s mother allegedly told dispatchers, “I killed him,” before hanging up.
Authorities later identified the woman as Ochra Manakaja. She has been charged with homicide, child abuse, and concealment of a dead body.
Discovery
According to court records, responding officers arrived at the hotel room and discovered the child’s body wrapped in plastic inside a clear storage container.
Investigators stated the child’s body was “stiff and cold to the touch and obviously frozen.” Court documents indicated the body temperature was approximately 26 degrees Fahrenheit.
Police believe the child had been kept frozen for nearly two weeks before authorities were contacted.
Investigation
During interviews with police, Manakaja reportedly admitted that she injured her son several times over a period of weeks.
Court records state she initially told investigators she accidentally dropped the child. However, she later admitted that on April 29 she threw him into his crib “out of frustration” after becoming overwhelmed by his crying.
According to investigators, the child landed on his back and his crying intensified afterward.
Manakaja also reportedly told police she had previously hit, slapped, and thrown the child on multiple occasions after regaining custody of him in March 2026.
Symptoms
Court documents describe the child’s condition worsening over several days after the alleged incident in the crib.
Manakaja told investigators the child vomited frequently, refused food, appeared weak and pale, and was not behaving normally.
The records state the symptoms continued until May 1, when the child died.
On the day of the child’s death, Manakaja allegedly noticed he had a fever and felt extremely hot to the touch. Despite recognizing that something was seriously wrong, investigators say she did not seek medical treatment.
Court documents state she admitted avoiding medical help because she feared “getting into trouble.”
Death
According to investigators, Manakaja told police she believed the child may have choked on vomit while lying on a couch.
She stated she left him alone for approximately two hours while she was in another room. When she returned, she found him unresponsive and not breathing.
Court documents say she attempted to wake him by using a cold washcloth but never contacted emergency services.
Instead, police allege she left the child’s body inside the apartment while attending a required probation-related appointment connected to a prior DUI case.
Freezer
Investigators said Manakaja later wrapped the child in a blanket and plastic before placing the body in a freezer.
Court records state she secured the wrapping with tape and sealed the freezer door with duct tape because she “did not want him to smell.”
Authorities also allege she told her two older children that their younger sibling was at a hospital or doctor’s office.
Police said Manakaja admitted she was the sole caretaker for her children and told investigators no one else had harmed the child.
Statements
According to court documents, Manakaja repeatedly expressed remorse during questioning.
Investigators wrote that she told police she had “messed up,” hated herself for what happened, and acknowledged responsibility for the child’s death.
“She acknowledged that she killed her own baby,” the records stated.
Child Welfare
The Arizona Department of Child Safety confirmed it previously investigated concerns involving the family.
In a public statement, the agency said it received a report in December 2024 alleging the child was unsafe. DCS stated it initially obtained court authorization to remove the child from the home.
However, officials said the mother’s tribe later asserted jurisdiction under the Indian Child Welfare Act and assumed custody authority over the case.
Under federal law, tribes and state agencies may share jurisdiction involving Native American children, with tribal courts able to assume responsibility for placement and welfare decisions.
Charges
Manakaja remains in custody as the criminal case proceeds.
Authorities have not yet announced a trial date.
The Flagstaff Police Department said the investigation remains active and encouraged anyone with additional information to contact investigators or submit anonymous tips through Silent Witness.
Timeline
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Incident | April 29, 2026 |
| Child’s Death | May 1, 2026 |
| 911 Call | May 17, 2026 |
| Location | Flagstaff, Arizona |
| Charges | Homicide, child abuse, concealment |
| Child’s Age | 15 months old |
The case has drawn significant attention in Arizona because of the circumstances surrounding the child’s death and prior involvement by child welfare authorities.
FAQs
Who was charged in the case?
Ochra Manakaja was charged by police.
Where was the child found?
The child was found inside a freezer.
What charges does she face?
Homicide, child abuse, and concealment charges.
How old was the child?
The child was 15 months old.
When did police receive the 911 call?
Authorities received it on May 17.
