A Minnesota woman is facing second-degree unintentional murder charges following the death of her 20-month-old son. The woman, identified as 32-year-old Valerie Zamora, allegedly made a stop at a store while en route to the hospital with her critically ill son. The boy later died at a hospital in Moorhead, a city near the Minnesota-North Dakota border.
Court documents reveal that on May 15, Zamora, accompanied by her partner and at least one other child, rushed her son to the hospital. However, police reports indicate that the family made a detour to a local Walmart before reaching the hospital.
The documents further disclose that the toddler had become severely ill the previous day. Despite showing no signs of improvement and being urged by witnesses to seek medical help, Zamora reportedly administered Tylenol and Gatorade to the boy and continued with her daily errands.
Upon returning home from school between 4:30 and 5 p.m., one of Zamora’s other children noticed the toddler’s dire condition. Zamora allegedly assured her that she would take the boy to the hospital once her partner returned home. The child later told police that she feared her little brother would die in her arms.
On the evening of May 15, the family finally decided to take the boy to the hospital. Surveillance footage from a local Walmart shows the family making a stop at 10:12 p.m., where Zamora purchased Pedialyte, a rehydration drink. The family left the store in haste after the boy started vomiting blood, and they rushed to the hospital. The boy was pronounced dead by 11:05 p.m.
When questioned by the police, Zamora initially claimed that the boy had started vomiting the day before. However, police noted inconsistencies in her account. They also questioned her about the bruises found on the boy’s body, to which she responded that he bruised easily.
The county coroner’s autopsy report revealed that the boy had suffered blunt force injuries, rib fractures, and contusions, consistent with an assault. The coroner ruled the death a homicide.
In a subsequent interview, Zamora confessed that she had delayed seeking medical help for her son due to fear of losing her children to social services. Zamora was arrested in Fargo on Friday and is currently held in the Cass County Jail. She is expected to be extradited to Moorhead to face the second-degree unintentional murder charge.