Oregon Woman Indicted For Killing Infant Son

Araceli Velasquez Espain will be arraigned on Tuesday, June 16th.

Morrow County, Oregon Courthouse Courtesy: arcweb.sos.state.or.us

(HEPPNER, Ore.) - Morrow County District Attorney Elizabeth A. Ballard and Attorney General John Kroger today announced that a grand jury has indicted Araceli Velasquez Espain on multiple counts for the death of her infant son.

Espain faces charges of aggravated murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, first-degree criminal mistreatment and abandonment of a child.

Ballard states that it is important to remember that all persons charged are presumed innocent under our Constitution until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The indictment accuses Espain of intentionally killing her baby on June 6th. She is scheduled to be arraigned in Morrow County Circuit Court at 1:15 p.m., Tuesday, June 16th.

The case is being investigated by the Major Crimes Team, which includes the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, Boardman Police Department, Oregon State Police, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, Hermiston Police Department, Pendleton Police Department, Milton Freewater Police Department, Morrow County District Attorney’s Office and Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Scott Jackson of the Oregon Department of Justice is assisting in the case at the request of District Attorney Ballard.