An Oklahoma woman has been indicted on a charge of felony murder after her five-year-old grandchild died at a casino owned by the
Kickapoo Tribe.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office,
Alanna Jean Orr, 50, left her five-year-old grandson in a car at the parking lot of the
Kickapoo Casino in Harrah for six hours. Temperatures soared to a high of 90 degrees that day.
"Approximately fifteen minutes after she left the casino," the
U.S. Attorney's Office said, "Orr called 911 and reported her grandson had choked and was not breathing."
According to the
indictment, Orr is an Indian though her tribal affiliation is not mentioned. Though her grandson died on June 21, 2018, she wasn't arrested until Friday.
"On April 17, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment that charges Orr with second degree felony murder by child neglect in Indian Country," The U.S. Attorney's Office said. "In particular, it alleges Orr, an Indian, caused the death of a child by willfully failing to provide adequate shelter and supervision while she was responsible for the child’s health, safety, and welfare."
The indictment refers to the child as "M.D." The Oklahoman identified him as
Maddox Ryan Durbin.
"Maddox touched every person he came in contact with. He would make sure that you felt good about yourself and always wanted to put a smile on everyone’s face," his obituary reads. "He was a very special young boy with a brilliant mind."
Orr, who was listed in the obituary as "Jean Durbin,"
pleaded not guilty to the charge at her arraignment on Friday before being
released on bond. She has been assigned a public defender, according to a
court document filed on Monday.
The Kickapoo Tribe helped investigate the case, in addition to local and state authorities, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Read More on the Story
Grandma indicted after 5-year-old boy dies
(The Oklahoman April 22, 2019)
Oklahoma City woman accused of 5-year-old grandson’s death at casino
(KFOR April 21, 2019)
Grandma Changed in Grandson's Death
(The Associated Press April 20, 2019)
Woman leaves child in car while in casino, charged with felony murder
(OKC Fox April 19, 2019)
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