Mother Arrested in Connection with Baby's Death Back in 2009 - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

It's a case Jackson Police have been trying to crack since August 2009.

On her arm, a tattoo memorial for her son Seth, the son she's now accused of killing.

Police arrested 31 year-old Amber Murphy on Tuesday, and now she's behind bars, charged with first degree murder and first degree child abuse.

Charges nearly three years in the making.

Hank Zavislak, the Jackson Co. Prosecutor says, "the important thing is not how fast we do it. The important thing is to do it right."

Prosecutors say Seth's case never closed, and thanks to the patient, persistant work of a police detective, there are finally some answers.

Lt. Chris Simpson with the Jackson Police Department says, "the public sometimes, they want a quick arrest, especially when it's so sensitive like a child's death, but we want to make sure we have a case prepared.  I think Detective Schutte and the other investigators did a fine job with that."

Assistant Prosecutor, Mark Blumer, told the judge there's never been any doubt Murphy was responsible, but proving it was tough until an "eye witness" came forward this week.

While this progress brings some satisfaction for police and prosecutors, there's still no sense of security or accomplishment with today's charges.  The team will keep working to the end. 

Murphy does have three other children, but lost her parental rights two years ago.

The judge denied Murphy's bond today.

She's expected to be back in court June 19th.