A Corvallis woman caused the death of her infant daughter in December 2022, a Benton County jury concluded in Oregon this week.
Deborah Albin, 30, was found guilty of manslaughter and criminal mistreatment.
An autopsy determined that 2-month-old Opal Oaks had 13 broken ribs when she died, with fractures in 18 places, according to a statement from the Benton County District Attorney. Her injuries indicated she’d been injured on three separate occasions.
Opal died from complications associated with the broken ribs, including pneumonia, officials concluded. At the time of her death, she also had methamphetamine in her system, prosecutors said.
Albin saw Andrew Oaks, the baby’s father, throwing the child around “like a rag doll” at one point, prosecutors alleged. Despite this, Albin frequently left Opal alone with Oaks.
Albin had expressed concern about Oaks smoking methamphetamine in the home while Opal was present, prosecutors said. In the week leading up to Opal’s death, Albin knew Opal was having trouble breathing and sleeping, and that she had a fever, but Albin did not seek medical care for the baby, according to the district attorney’s office.
Albin only called 911 after realizing that Opal had stopped breathing, prosecutors said. At that point, they said, it was too late to save the little girl.
Albin will be sentenced at a later date.
Andrew Oaks, 30, the baby’s father, is facing charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and first-degree criminal mistreatment in connection with Opal’s death. As of Thursday, his trial date had not been set.
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