Altus daycare owner charged in death of little girl

ALTUS, Okla. (AP) _ The owner of an in-home daycare center faces a first-degree murder count in the death of a 10-month-old girl who died while in her care. <br/><br/>Jackson County prosecutors allege

Sunday, April 17th 2005, 11:57 am

By: News On 6

ALTUS, Okla. (AP) _ The owner of an in-home daycare center faces a first-degree murder count in the death of a 10-month-old girl who died while in her care.

Jackson County prosecutors allege Melinda Marie Bautista caused the death of Madilyne Wentz of Missouri.

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jessica Brown says the little girl died on Thursday.

Brown says the girl's mother was in the Altus area working temporarily when she left the child at Bautista's day care.

The 33 year old Bautista is accused of shaking the child until she lost consciousness on Tuesday.

An affidavit states that Bautista called 911 and tried to revive the child before she was taken to Jackson County Hospital, then flown by helicopter to Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa. The child was pronounced dead on Wednesday. Altus, Sheriff Morris Roberts said.

Bautista surrendered to authorities yesterday afternoon.