The Darwin Chronicles

[Cuda]

Anybody who says the spin-off technology from the space program is overrated doesn't know what the fuck they're talking about

Police Say Mother Microwaved Her Baby
Nov 28 2:23 PM US/Eastern

By JAMES HANNAH
Associated Press Writer

DAYTON, Ohio


A mother was arrested on suspicion of murdering her newborn daughter by putting the baby in a microwave oven.
China Arnold, 26, was jailed Monday on a charge of aggravated murder, more than a year after she brought her dead month-old baby to a hospital.

"We have reason to believe, and we have some forensic evidence that is consistent with our belief, that a microwave oven was used in this death," said Ken Betz, director of the Montgomery County coroner's office.

He said the evidence included high-heat internal injuries and the absence of external burn marks on the baby, Paris Talley.

Arnold was arrested soon after the baby's death in August 2005, then was released while authorities investigated further. Betz said the case was difficult because "there is not a lot of scientific research and data on the effect of microwaves on human beings."

The death was ruled a homicide caused by hyperthermia, or high body temperature. The absence of external burns ruled out an open flame, scalding water or a heating pad as the cause, Betz said.

Arnold's lawyer, Jon Paul Rion, said his client had nothing to do with her child's death and was stunned when investigators told her that a microwave might have been involved.

"China _ as a mother and a person _ was horrified that such an act could occur," Rion said.

The night before the baby was taken to the hospital, Arnold and the child's father went out for a short time and left Paris with a baby sitter, Rion said. The mother didn't sense anything out of the ordinary until the next morning, when the child was found unconscious, Rion said.

Arnold has three other children.

In 2000, a Virginia woman was sentenced to five years in prison for killing her month-old son in a microwave oven. Elizabeth Renee Otte claimed she had no memory of cramming her son in the microwave and turning on the appliance in 1999. Experts said that Otte suffered from epilepsy and that her seizures were followed by blackouts.

[Cuda]

Really?

I was pretty sure it was from NASA, but then the History Channel has been known to be wrong on occasion

[Cuda]

RACK! Darwin anyway, though

[Dinsdale]

That came from The Onion, or somewhere like that, right?

Because the bullshit in that one is so thick you could cut it with a chainsaw.

Arnold was arrested soon after the baby's death in August 2005, then was released while authorities investigated further. Betz said the case was difficult because "there is not a lot of scientific research and data on the effect of microwaves on human beings."

The death was ruled a homicide caused by hyperthermia, or high body temperature. The absence of external burns ruled out an open flame, scalding water or a heating pad as the cause, Betz said.

But there's a whole buncha data out there about how a microwave works. Which is, despite urban myth, from the outside in. No exceptions.

As the microwaves began to heat the outer inch or so of water-bearing flesh, I'd have a hard time believing that the heat and subsequent burn wouldn't spread at a fairly equal rate towards both the outside and inside of a human body. And since skin is also comprised of a percentage of water, I doubt a human could escape the micro-go-round with out at least soem sort of external burns.

But like the article says, there's not a lot of research available regarding putting infants in microwaves, so who can say for sure. But a redneck "coroner" who doesn't understand how a microwave oven works, other than complete fallacies....might want to have someone a little more qualified take a look before they start tossing people in jail.

[Dinsdale]

Yeah, bullshit. The kid's eyes would've popped if it were for real.

Considering the amount of water that makes up an eyeball, and considering the inner eye-goo is in a somewhat-sealed membrane sort of setup, I'd say this is entirely possible.

And for the sake of all that is holy, I really don't want to know how you know this. Seriously.

[Cuda]

All of Hostboard is down, btw.

THE & everything else too= gone

[Dinsdale]

Quicky is just upgrading the server...don't sweat it.

[Cuda]

Guns & Dope.com is fubar too.

Looks like some kinda spick-o joint.

(yes, that is a reset. I doubt anybody here knows where it's from though)

[Atomic Punk]

Yeah, bullshit. The kid's eyes would've popped if it were for real.

And for the sake of all that is holy, I really don't want to know how you know this. Seriously.

He learned this from preparing the delicacy of microwaved frog legs.