EDITOR'S NOTE: This article contains graphic incident details. Viewer discretion is advised.
A Flagstaff woman has been indicted in the death of her infant son, who was found dead in a hotel room on Sunday.
Flagstaff police say officers were dispatched to the La Quinta Inn hotel near Huntington Drive and Bronco Way around 9:30 a.m., where they found an infant dead in one of the hotel rooms.
The child was said to be 17 months old.
Two other children, ages 7 and 9, were also in the hotel room, but they were unharmed.
The investigation is ongoing, and a medical examiner will determine the cause of the child’s death; however, the child’s mother was taken into custody.
Police say Ochra Manakaja, 31, of Flagstaff, was booked into Coconino County Jail on charges including first-degree homicide, child abuse, and concealment of a body.
On May 22, a Coconino County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Manakaja with 21 felony counts. The counts include first-degree murder, second-degree murder, child abuse, and abandonment or concealment of a dead body.
“One of the most important responsibilities of the criminal justice system is protecting vulnerable members of our community, especially children,” County Attorney Ammon Barker said. “We recognize the profound impact of this case and will continue to pursue this matter with the seriousness and care it deserves.”
Manakaja pleaded not guilty in front of a judge on June 1.
According to court documents, Manakaja called 911 on May 17 and reported that she had hurt her baby a few weeks ago "out of frustration."
When police showed up, they discovered the baby deceased in a hotel room freezer.
During a police interview, Manakaja reportedly told detectives she injured the baby on April 29, after throwing him in the crib, and never sought medical treatment. Court documents state Manakaja reported the baby would not stop crying, was vomiting, and developed a fever before he died on May 1.
Documents go on to say Manakaja put his body in the freezer, where he remained until May 17, when police were called.
Manakaja reportedly told detectives she did not call 911 sooner because she "did not want to get in trouble." Manakaja is on probation for a prior DUI conviction.
Ochra also stated she has been the sole caretaker of all three children for the past year, does not work, and has no family, friends, or babysitters who help care for the children or visit.
The Arizona Department of Child Services responded to the investigation with the following statement:
"The Department extends its deepest sympathies to all those affected by the tragic death of a one-year-old child. Our thoughts are with the child’s loved ones and community during this difficult time.
The Department received one prior report involving this family in December 2024. Following an investigation, the Department determined the child was unsafe and obtained court authorization to take custody. However, after we removed the child, the mother’s tribe asserted jurisdiction and assumed custody of the child.
If the Department receives a report on a child who is enrolled in or eligible for enrollment in a tribe, the Department and the tribe share concurrent jurisdiction under the Indian Child Welfare Act to investigate and take custody of the child. The tribe may request that the matter be transferred to tribal court at any time, as occurred in this case. Once the matter is transferred, DCS is no longer involved, and all decisions regarding the child’s case, including case plan, placement, and permanency decisions, are handled by the tribal court and tribal social services."
No other suspects are wanted in connection with this case.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Flagstaff Police Department at 928‑774‑1414, or provide information anonymously through Silent Witness at 928‑774‑6111.
