Woman surrenders in toddler's death

San Diego Union-Tribune, The (CA)

Author: David E. Graham; STAFF WRITER

Dateline: SAN DIEGO

The foster mother of a 2-year-old Mountain View boy who died Friday surrendered to San Diego police detectives last night and will be booked on suspicion of murder, police said.

Linda Coleman, 47, surrendered about 7:45 p.m., said homicide Lt. Kevin Rooney.

Investigators said they thought the injuries that doctors discovered on the boy, Malachi Roberts-McBride, on June 27 were inconsistent with the woman's story about them, Rooney said.

About 5:10 p.m. that day, paramedics were called to a residence on 45th Street to help a 2-year-old.

Children's Hospital doctors determined he had serious brain injuries and bruising to his body, Rooney said.

An autopsy Sunday concluded Malachi died of blunt force trauma, he said.