Ore. Mom Busted in Son's Drowning

Residents heard screams coming from chilly river

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted May 24, 2009 9:00 AM CDT

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Ore. Mom Busted in Son's Drowning — Portland Police search on a dock near the Sellwood Bridge Saturday, May 23, 2009, in Portland, Ore. Portland police homicide detectives have launched an investigation after a 3-year-old boy and 7-year-old girl were found in the Willamette River. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Authorities arrested an Oregon mother yesterday after local residents heard screams and found her children drifting in a chilly river, the AP reports. Amanda Jo Stott-Smith’s 7-year-old daughter is expected to survive, but her 4-year-old son could not be revived. “I can't imagine what it must be like to be a child in this cold river,” said one cop.

Stott-Smith, 31, who threatened to jump off the ninth floor of a parking garage before she was arrested, faces aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder charges.
(Read more Oregon stories.)