Detroit Mom Charged With Murder In 3-Year-Old Son's Death: Police

DETROIT — A Detroit mother was charged with murder after officers found her 3-year-old son dead inside a freezer Friday, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said.

Azuradee France, 31, was charged with felony murder, child abuse first degree, torture and concealing the death of an individual, officials said.

France was placed in jail and pleaded not guilty, officials said. Her next hearing is scheduled for July 8.

"The alleged facts in this case have astounded even the seriously jaded. Our children continue to be at risk - not just from gun violence but also from the alleged murderer that lives in the house with them," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said.

Police said officers were called to perform a welfare check at a Detroit home on the 12700 block of Monte Vista, near Interstate 96 and Grand River Avenue on the city's west side.

Once officers entered the home, the mother was trying to push them away, leading police to believe something was wrong inside the home, Detroit Police Chief James White said.

That's when officers called for a supervisor and found the dead child inside a freezer in the home's basement, White said.

Officials did not say how the child was killed or how long the boy was inside the freezer, as police continue to investigate the killing, authorities said. Police did say, however, the body was decomposing. inside the freezer.

There were also five other kids in the home, which police said was in poor condition. The children were checked at a nearby hospital and were placed into custody of Child Protective Services, police said.