A woman has been handed a life sentence for the murder of her four-week-old daughter in a horrific manner. In 2005, 25-year-old China Arnold, residing in Dayton, Ohio with her partner Terrell Talley and children, took her newborn, Paris, to the hospital while intoxicated. The infant was unresponsive, leading to Arnold’s arrest; however, she was released due to insufficient evidence initially.
Subsequently, it was revealed that Arnold had placed Paris in a microwave following a dispute with her boyfriend over paternity. The child’s DNA was found in the microwave, and medical experts concluded that Paris died from extreme heat exposure for over two minutes. Arnold’s former cellmate disclosed that Arnold confessed to killing her daughter to hide infidelity.
Arnold was incarcerated in 2006 and faced a trial in 2008. Testimonies were presented, with defense attorneys suggesting other possible suspects. Despite a mistrial due to unresolved evidence issues, Arnold was retried, where she claimed sole responsibility for Paris’s death. The jury convicted her of aggravated murder, resulting in a life sentence without parole.
Multiple appeals were unsuccessful, with psychologists stating Arnold had average intelligence and no severe mental disorders apart from mild depression and substance abuse. Arnold is currently serving her sentence at the Dayton Correctional Institution after being considered for but ultimately excluded from capital punishment.