Former Baby Sitter Held in Boy’s Death

A former day-care operator was arrested on suspicion of murdering a 6-month-old boy who had been under her supervision, authorities said Friday.

After a 17-month investigation, sheriff’s homicide detectives on Wednesday arrested Mary Suzanne Orlina of Aliso Viejo in connection with the April 21, 1995 death of Kodi Vedder.

Investigators said Orlina’s account that Kodi was injured when he fell off a couch and onto a carpet in her home were not consistent with autopsy findings and other evidence.

According to authorities, Kodi was asleep when his parents, Eric and Trish Vedder of Laguna Hills, picked him up from day care. Orlina told them of the accident but indicated that the boy’s injuries were minor, authorities said. Once they arrived home, they realized that their son was severely injured and could not be revived.

Sheriff’s officials declined to elaborate on how the evidence contradicted Orlina’s story.

“We’re pleased,” said attorney Christina Anne Fountain, who represents the Vedders. “This is the first we’ve heard about it.”

Orlina, 35, is being held on $250,000 bail at the Orange County Jail on suspicion of murder, assault resulting in the death of a child under 8 years old and child abuse. She is scheduled to be in court on the matter Dec. 12 at Municipal Court in Laguna Niguel.

In January, the couple filed a lawsuit against Orlina, accusing her and her husband, Raymond, of intentionally mistreating and abusing their son. The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages.

Sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Ron Wilkerson said that the husband “is not a focus of the investigation at this time.”

Under an agreement reached in December with the state Department of Social Services, the Orlinas did not admit any wrongdoing, but agreed to be barred for life from operating or working in a care facility licensed by the state.