Sarah Elizabeth Martin, the Oregon City baby sitter accused of killing an infant last month, will be arraigned on a murder charge Thursday.

Martin, 37, had been facing a lesser charge of first-degree manslaughter. She was taken into custody Wednesday morning at the Clackamas County Courthouse after a juvenile court hearing involving custody of her two children.

Martin is accused of causing the death of Izaak Gillen, a 7-month-old infant she was caring for at her Oregon City home on April 6. She called 911 shortly after noon to report the baby wasn't breathing, according to a police affidavit.

Martin was charged with first-degree manslaughter on April 29 and has been free on bail.

Martin's two children were removed from her custody after Izaak's death. She attended a hearing Wednesday morning to address custody of her 10-year-old daughter, who was placed with her biological father, and 10-month-old son, who is being cared for by Martin's parents.

Clackamas County prosecutor Mike Regan said the new charge, which carries a life sentence, was appropriate after a thorough review of police and medical reports.

The Oregon murder statute says that if a death occurs as the result of certain crimes, including first- or second-degree assault, a murder charge is justified.

Izaak was taken to Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel in Portland. The hospital called Oregon City police more than two hours after the 911 call and reported Izaak was being treated for a skull fracture. The baby died at the hospital at 6:38 p.m. the following day, police said.

Izaak's parents, Justin and Stacy Gillen, met Martin a few years ago at Grand View Baptist Church, which is just south of Oregon City.

The Gillens released the following statement after Martin's arrest for murder:

Our hearts are broken over the loss of our son, Izaak. We think about him and grieve for him daily. Izaak will forever live in the hearts and memories of everyone who knew him.



A special thank you goes out to all the support personnel for our family: the Oregon City Police Department, the staff of Randall Children's Hospital, the District Attorney's Office, and all others. We especially want to thank our family, friends, and church for their love and support during this time. God loaned us an angel for seven short months, and it is our faith in Him that gets us through each day.



We trust the legal system to determine the facts of the case and to bring justice for Izaak. We believe that, in time, the person responsible for Izaak's death will be held accountable.

-- Steve Mayes

smayes@oregonian.com

503-294-5916; @ocmayes