LAS VEGAS – A 41-year-old former foster mother could face 20 years to life in prison after a jury found her guilty of first-degree murder in the death of a 7-month-old boy in her care in 2006.
Melanie Ochs was jailed after the verdict was returned late Thursday in Clark County District Court. A judge set sentencing Jan. 28.
Ochs at first told authorities her older children caused the baby's fatal head injuries.
Her lawyer says Ochs told the truth when she testified Tuesday that the boy fell to the floor from atop a washing machine at her home in northwest Las Vegas.
Prosecutors maintained that the child's death was not accidental, and doctors testified he died after several traumatic injuries from separate events.
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