Mother charged with murder in ‘severe abuse’ death of son, 7

COLUMBUS (AP) — Columbus police say a North Linden woman has been charged with murder in the death of her 7-year-old son.

Officers responded shortly before 8:30 p.m. Saturday to a report of a child drowning at a home in the 2400 block of Azelda Street and found 7-year-old Fabian Maldando-Cortez unresponsive.

He was pronounced dead at Nationwide Children’s Hospital shortly before 10:00 p.m.

Police allege that the investigation revealed that the boy “had been subjected to severe abuse” that led to his death.

Oneida Maldonado-Cortez, 24, was charged with murder and the child’s stepfather with child endangerment.

This is the 38th homicide of the year in Columbus.

It’s unclear whether Maldonado-Cortez has an attorney; a listed number in her name couldn’t be found Sunday.