DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — A forensic toxicologist says a Dayton woman accused of killing her baby by burning the child in a microwave oven was drinking heavily during the hours when the child likely died.

Defense witness Alfred Staubus, a retired professor at Ohio State University, testified on Monday that 28-year-old China Arnold’s consumption of rum had raised her blood-alcohol level to as high as 0.312, nearly four times the legal driving limit.

Staubus says that would have grossly impaired Arnold’s coordination, making it difficult for her to commit the crime over a period of several hours.

Arnold is being retried on charges that she killed Paris Talley by burning her in an oven. Arnold has pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated murder. She could face the death penalty.

 

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