Jury Convicts Sac Foster Mother of Murder

C. Johnson

SACRAMENTO, CA - A foster mother charged in the October 2007 death of a toddler in her care was found guilty of second-degree murder Monday.

The Sacramento County Superior Court jury convicted Tamekca Walker in the death of 18-month-old Tamaihia Moore, found dead in her bed on Oct. 22, 2007. The jury returned not guilty to first-degree murder and child abuse charges.

Child Protective Services had placed the child in Walker's care after the girl's father had been arrested.

Prosecutors said Walker admitted that the child cried incessantly and that she had held her hand over her mouth "until she stopped." According to court documents, a coroner's examination of the girl's body had evidence of internal injuries and a diaper rash that resulted in burns and bleeding.

Walker was also a foster mother to a 2-year-old girl and a 3-month-old baby at the time of Moore's death. She also ran a licensed daycare from her south Sacramento home.

The court set Walker's sentencing for Aug. 21, 2009.

The victim's relatives also filed a wrongful death claim against Sacramento County Child Protective Services, charging that the agency was negligent in responding to their reports that Moore appeared malnourished, dehydrated and possibly abused during their visitations. CPS placed the little girl in Walker's care Sept. 17, 2007.