O.C. Mom Who Called Tot’s Death Accidental Is Arrested

A young Laguna Niguel mother who shot and killed her baby last month in what she said was a tragic accident was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, authorities said Friday.

Sheriff’s investigators took 20-year-old Shantae Molina into custody Thursday night while she was visiting with relatives at a restaurant in San Diego County. She is being held in Orange County Jail with no bail, and prosecutors plan to arraign her Monday.

The arrest marks a dramatic turn in a case that began three weeks ago, when a hysterical Molina called 911 from home to report that her 8-month-old baby had been shot in the head.

The baby boy, Armani Shyloh Contreras, was pronounced dead seven hours later, after doctors twice tried to perform lifesaving surgery. Molina told police the gun had accidentally discharged several times when she grabbed it, after she thought she heard a prowler outside her window.

“We realize she indicated that the shooting had been an accident, but based on a culmination of evidence that investigators collected in a painstaking process, murder charges have been filed,” said Lt. Hector Rivera, who declined to reveal further details of the case.

But a spokesman from the law firm representing Molina immediately criticized the Sheriff’s Department for the way it handled her arrest.

Vincent K. Rubalcava, a paralegal for the Lampel Law Corp. in Laguna Beach, said two deputies swooped into the bustling Mexican restaurant in Ramona, handcuffing Molina in a public setting while her attorney, Eric Lampel, was out of town.

“They posed as guests, ordered food to go, returned when they saw Molina and told her she was under arrest,” he said. “When she said, ‘Yeah, why?’ they said ‘Come on, we’ve got four deputies outside, don’t make a fuss.’ ”

Rubalcava said investigators took Molina to a sheriff’s station in San Clemente on Thursday night, turned on tape recorders and told her repeatedly, “You need to talk to us now, you’re a big girl, now talk to us.”

Deputies “were trying to shake something loose because there is no case,” said Rubalcava, who visited Molina in jail Friday.

Molina is being housed in the medical wing of the jail, where authorities keep inmates who are pregnant, sick or on suicide watch.

She was “crying and really torn up,” said Rubalcava after his visit. “She doesn’t understand why somebody would want to prosecute her.”

Because court documents have been sealed, Molina’s defense attorneys don’t know why she is suspected of murder and have not received any autopsy or ballistics studies.

As word of the young woman’s arrest spread to friends and neighbors, a portrait emerged of a single mother struggling to care for her baby son amid intense family, work and school pressures.

They described Molina as a quiet, often lonely but sweet woman. She had been taking night classes at Saddleback College and had recently quit her job at a local Mervyn’s department store so she could spend more time with Armani.

Several people expressed disbelief at the latest turn in the case of the petite young woman with the curly auburn hair and babyish face.

Julie Liles, a Dana Hills High School teacher who said she taught Molina social studies for two years, said her former student isn’t cunning enough to plan a murder.

Liles said she had taken a frightened Molina into her home a year ago when Molina showed up on her doorstep 4 1/2 months pregnant. During that time, Liles said, Molina often talked about family discord over her pregnancy.

At the wake and funeral for Armani, Liles said, Molina sobbed uncontrollably.

“She was punishing herself. She was so unhappy. I was actually afraid she might be suicidal,” she added.

Neighbor Tammy Adkison, who had used Molina as a baby-sitter, said she was shocked to hear of the murder allegation.

“I thought it was over with . . . an accident,” she said.

Molina lived in the Laguna Niguel house with her mother, stepfather and sister. Adkison said the family all adored the good-natured baby. “Armani was always happy and smiling. He was one of those easy babies,” she said.

Molina was held on suspicion of the “willful, deliberate and premeditated killing” of her son. If convicted, she could face the death penalty or 25 years to life in prison.

Soon after Molina’s arrest Thursday night, Rubalcava said six more deputies arrived at his home in Laguna Niguel asking to speak with Molina’s mother and stepfather, who were inside. The parents refused give statements because they are still “grieving,” he said.

Also contributing to this report were Times staff writers Ray Tessler in Ramona and Megan Garvey and correspondents Chris Ceballos and Jason Kandel.