Trial underway for woman accused of murdering baby at Eudora day care
Story updated at 5:35 p.m. Monday, July 16, 2018.
The murder trial of a woman accused of killing a baby she cared for at a Eudora home day care opened Monday with jury selection.
The trial for Carrody M. Buchhorn, 44, of Eudora, is scheduled to last a week and a half, running through July 25 in Douglas County District Court. Judge Sally Pokorny said the trial, including jury deliberations, could take a full two weeks, however.
Monday morning, more than 50 potential jurors packed the courtroom. Pokorny told them, without adding further details, “this is a case where a child has died at day care.”
Buchhorn murder trial coverage
• July 18 — Eudora first responders detail attempts to revive baby
• July 17 — Parents testify about their 9-month-old son’s death at Eudora day care
• July 16 — Trial underway for woman accused of murdering baby at Eudora day care
The first attorney to begin questioning potential jurors, prosecutor C.J. Rieg, said the case involved the death of a 9-month-old child and that during the trial, jurors could expect to see upsetting photos.
Within the first hour of jury selection several people were released — a few leaving the courtroom in tears — after telling Rieg that even without knowing more, they found the situation too emotional for them to be impartial.
Buchhorn, who has been on house arrest while her case is pending, appeared in street clothes alongside her attorneys Paul Morrison and Veronica Dersch.
Nine-month-old Oliver “Ollie” Ortiz was found unresponsive the afternoon of Sept. 29, 2016, at Sunshine Kids Group Daycare Home at 1307 Chestnut Lane in Eudora.
The coroner ruled Oliver’s death a homicide, caused by blunt force trauma to the head and torso. The day care closed down shortly after Oliver’s death.
In April 2017, Buchhorn was charged with first-degree murder. Prosecutors say she was the only person with Oliver when his fatal injuries occurred.
More potential jurors were called in after lunch on Monday. By day’s end, a jury still had not been picked.
The selection process was scheduled to resume Tuesday morning.
Previous coverage
• May 25, 2018 — Murder trial approaching for Eudora day care worker charged with killing baby; wrongful death suit settled
• April 19 — Eudora baby’s parents sue operators of home day care where he died
• Jan. 26, 2018 — Murder trial pushed back 5 months for woman accused of killing baby at Eudora day care
• Dec. 14, 2017 — Buttons picturing Eudora baby won’t be allowed at trial of woman accused of murdering him
• Sept. 21 — Eudora day care worker must stand trial for murder in infant’s death, judge rules
• June 21 — Judge denies request to modify house arrest condition for woman charged with murdering infant
• April 27 — Affidavit: Woman accused of killing infant at Eudora day care was only person with access to the child
• April 17 — Woman accused of infant’s death at a Eudora day care formally charged with first-degree murder
• April 14 — District attorney files murder charge against woman accused of killing infant at a Eudora day care
• March 21, 2017 — Investigation into death of infant at Eudora daycare nearing completion
• Oct. 24, 2016 — Infant dies at Eudora day care, police say; facility’s license under emergency suspension
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