Mother accused of murder in baby's microwave death

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A 29-year-old mother has been arrested on suspicion of burning her baby in a microwave oven, causing the infant's death, police say.

Ka Yang of Sacramento, Calif., was taken into custody Tuesday following a three-month investigation into March 17 death of 6-week-old Mirabelle Thao-Lo.

Homicide detectives, medical experts and forensic scientists determined the baby girl suffered extensive thermal injuries resulting in her death, said Officer Laura Peck of the Sacramento Police Department

Peck said investigators found only three other reported injuries similar to the victim's -- in Ohio Texas and Virginia.

"We thought it was an accident," neighbor Derrick Waddell said. "We thought they dropped their baby, and we just heard she put her baby in the microwave. It's something you'd see in a horror story."

"It's sad. It's terribly sad. so many safe places baby could have ben taken to. I wish I knew," neighbor Pam Waddell said.

According to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department jail website, Yang was booked on one count of murder and one count of assault leading to the death of a child under age 8. She is not eligible for bail.