Baby Sitter Maria Owens Charged With Murder In 11-Month-Old's Death

FAIRBURN, Ga. -- A metro Atlanta baby sitter has been arrested and charged with murder after police said the 11-month-old boy she was baby-sitting died from inteal injuries.

Maria Owens, 42, was arrested by Fairbu police.

Lt. Veal Sutherland told Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri that Owens initially called 911 to get help for the baby.

But when doctors saw how serious his injuries were, they called police.

"We're not trying to speculate on that right now. The only thing we're saying is that this person has been arrested for the death of this child," Sutherland said.

Neighbor Garrett Starkey said Owens, who has children of her own, baby-sat other kids inside her home on Broadleaf Trail.

"Makes you wonder what happens over there. And like I said, I've seen young kids over there, babies. Makes me really wonder what's going on," said Starkey.

No one answered the door at Owens' home Wednesday evening. Her attoey, Mawuli Mel Davis, told Napier Viteri that the baby had been coughing and Owens was patting him on the back before calling 911. He said she did not do anything to cause harm to the child.

"We don't have any explanation. Maria Owens is not the cause of those injuries," Davis said.

Owens was taken to the Fulton County Jail.