By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Ochra Manakaja, a 31-year-old woman from Flagstaff, Arizona, is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say she admitted to killing her 15-month-old son and storing his body in a freezer for several weeks inside a hotel room.
According to police, Manakaja called 911 Sunday morning and allegedly told dispatchers, “I killed him,” before hanging up. Officers responded to a La Quinta Inn and Suites near Interstate 40, where they discovered the toddler’s body wrapped in plastic inside a freezer container. Two other children, ages 7 and 9, were also found inside the room unharmed and later placed into protective care.
Investigators said Manakaja told officers she became frustrated with the child after he cried repeatedly and allegedly threw him into his crib on April 29. Court documents state the child later became sick, vomiting and refusing food, but she did not seek medical treatment because she feared violating DUI probation requirements.
Police said the child was later found unresponsive inside the hotel room. Authorities allege Manakaja wrapped the body in blankets and plastic before storing it in a freezer for approximately two weeks.
Manakaja was booked into the Coconino County Jail on charges including first-degree murder, child abuse, and concealment of a dead body. Her bond was set at $1 million cash-only.
Officials also revealed the family had prior involvement with child welfare authorities, and court records show Manakaja had previous convictions involving assault and DUI-related offenses.