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News Release

Mother Convicted By Jury For Causing Death Of 2 Month Old Daughter - 06/03/26

On December 16, 2022, Opal Oaks was born to Deborah Albin and Andrew Oaks.  At the age of two months and ten days, emergency personnel responded in an attempt to resuscitate Opal, who was not breathing.  These and subsequent efforts at the ER were unsuccessful and Opal was pronounced dead. 

 

A later autopsy revealed that Opal had 13 broken ribs, with fractures in 18 locations.  The ribs were in different stages of healing, indicative of three different events.  The baby also had both chronic and acute pneumonia, as well as a hole in the protective membrane of one lung resulting from complications of the rib fractures.  Opal was also positive for a level of methamphetamine that would have been high for an adult.  She also had diphenhydramine (Benadryl) in her system.  The autopsy concluded that Opal died from complications associated with the broken ribs, including pneumonia, with methamphetamine being another significant condition.  The death was determined to be a homicide.

 

On September 26, 2023, a Benton County Grand Jury indicted Albin of Manslaughter in the First Degree.  The indictment alleged Albin recklessly caused the death of Opal by neglect or maltreatment.  She was further indicted of two counts of Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree, with allegations that in violation of a legal duty, Albin either knowingly withheld necessary and adequate medical attention, or physical care, from Opal.

 

Detective Lieutenant David Iverson of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office was the lead investigator on the case.  His investigation revealed the following, all of which was also introduced as evidence during the trial:

  • Oaks and Albin were Opal’s sole caregivers, and the child was never left alone with others.
  • Oaks was frequently absent from the home for purposes of finding and using methamphetamine.
  • Albin expressed concern with Oaks smoking methamphetamine in the home while Opal was present.
  • Albin saw Oaks “tossing” or “throwing” the child around “like a rag doll” at one point, and did not believe Opal was safe to be in his presence. Despite this, she frequently left Opal alone with Oaks.
  • Oaks and Albin had a tumultuous relationship, and at times Oaks was physically abusive of Albin.
  • Albin frequently threatened to leave Oaks, and often told him she could not trust him. 
  • Albin was the primary bread winner of the family.  She had supportive parents, as well as in laws, who made it clear they were there to support Albin and Opal.
  • Albin had the freedom to come and go from the home as she pleased.
  • In the week leading up to Opal’s death, Albin knew Opal was having trouble breathing and sleeping.  She knew that Opal had a fever.  Despite this knowledge, she did not seek medical care.
  • Pictures of Opal while alive showed bruising to her head, and other abrasions around Opal’s nose. 
  • Autopsy pictures showed bruises to Opal’s back and head. The broken ribs were consistent with someone squeezing Opal.

At trial, which began on May 18, 2026 and concluded on June 2, medical experts testified that Albin should have told doctors that Opal had been exposed to methamphetamine and that Oaks had tossed Opal around like a rag doll.  Such reporting would have led doctors to conduct further examinations, which would have revealed the rib fractures, pneumonia, and methamphetamine toxicity.  Medical experts also testified that Albin should have contacted a medical care provider owing to her exhibiting symptoms of illness and experiencing a fever.  As it was, Albin only called 911 after she realized that Opal had stopped breathing.  At that point, it was too late. 

 

Notably, despite an indication by defense prior to trial, they chose not to introduce evidence that Albin’s actions, or lack thereof, were based on a fear of harm from Oaks.  Instead, the defense appeared to claim that Albin was unaware of the need for treatment until the very day Opal died. 

 

On June 2, the jury deliberated for about two hours following which they reached a unanimous verdict of guilty on all three counts. The jury returned on June 3 to deliberate as to whether aggravating factors were involved in the crimes.  The jury decided in the affirmative that all three charges involved a particularly vulnerable victim, based on Opal’s age, and as to the Criminal Mistreatment charges, that the harm that occurred in this case was significantly greater than typical, given the death of Opal.

 

“Justice was done in this case.  Opal’s story was told, and the jury did the right thing.  I feel a lingering sadness, though, as the life of this innocent baby cannot be restored.”  Laura Kaercher, Deputy District Attorney.

 

“Opal was a vulnerable infant. The jury was forced to consider weighty evidence, and their verdict affirms what the evidence in this case made clear—Albin failed to provide necessary medical attention and physical care to Opal despite witnessing Opal’s abuse, exposure to methamphetamine, and deteriorating medical condition.”  Matt Ipson, Sr. Deputy District Attorney.

Mother Convicted By Jury For Causing Death Of 2 Month Old Daughter - 06/03/26

On December 16, 2022, Opal Oaks was born to Deborah Albin and Andrew Oaks.  At the age of two months and ten days, emergency personnel responded in an attempt to resuscitate Opal, who was not breathing.  These and subsequent efforts at the ER were unsuccessful and Opal was pronounced dead. 

 

A later autopsy revealed that Opal had 13 broken ribs, with fractures in 18 locations.  The ribs were in different stages of healing, indicative of three different events.  The baby also had both chronic and acute pneumonia, as well as a hole in the protective membrane of one lung resulting from complications of the rib fractures.  Opal was also positive for a level of methamphetamine that would have been high for an adult.  She also had diphenhydramine (Benadryl) in her system.  The autopsy concluded that Opal died from complications associated with the broken ribs, including pneumonia, with methamphetamine being another significant condition.  The death was determined to be a homicide.

 

On September 26, 2023, a Benton County Grand Jury indicted Albin of Manslaughter in the First Degree.  The indictment alleged Albin recklessly caused the death of Opal by neglect or maltreatment.  She was further indicted of two counts of Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree, with allegations that in violation of a legal duty, Albin either knowingly withheld necessary and adequate medical attention, or physical care, from Opal.

 

Detective Lieutenant David Iverson of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office was the lead investigator on the case.  His investigation revealed the following, all of which was also introduced as evidence during the trial:

  • Oaks and Albin were Opal’s sole caregivers, and the child was never left alone with others.
  • Oaks was frequently absent from the home for purposes of finding and using methamphetamine.
  • Albin expressed concern with Oaks smoking methamphetamine in the home while Opal was present.
  • Albin saw Oaks “tossing” or “throwing” the child around “like a rag doll” at one point, and did not believe Opal was safe to be in his presence. Despite this, she frequently left Opal alone with Oaks.
  • Oaks and Albin had a tumultuous relationship, and at times Oaks was physically abusive of Albin.
  • Albin frequently threatened to leave Oaks, and often told him she could not trust him. 
  • Albin was the primary bread winner of the family.  She had supportive parents, as well as in laws, who made it clear they were there to support Albin and Opal.
  • Albin had the freedom to come and go from the home as she pleased.
  • In the week leading up to Opal’s death, Albin knew Opal was having trouble breathing and sleeping.  She knew that Opal had a fever.  Despite this knowledge, she did not seek medical care.
  • Pictures of Opal while alive showed bruising to her head, and other abrasions around Opal’s nose. 
  • Autopsy pictures showed bruises to Opal’s back and head. The broken ribs were consistent with someone squeezing Opal.

At trial, which began on May 18, 2026 and concluded on June 2, medical experts testified that Albin should have told doctors that Opal had been exposed to methamphetamine and that Oaks had tossed Opal around like a rag doll.  Such reporting would have led doctors to conduct further examinations, which would have revealed the rib fractures, pneumonia, and methamphetamine toxicity.  Medical experts also testified that Albin should have contacted a medical care provider owing to her exhibiting symptoms of illness and experiencing a fever.  As it was, Albin only called 911 after she realized that Opal had stopped breathing.  At that point, it was too late. 

 

Notably, despite an indication by defense prior to trial, they chose not to introduce evidence that Albin’s actions, or lack thereof, were based on a fear of harm from Oaks.  Instead, the defense appeared to claim that Albin was unaware of the need for treatment until the very day Opal died. 

 

On June 2, the jury deliberated for about two hours following which they reached a unanimous verdict of guilty on all three counts. The jury returned on June 3 to deliberate as to whether aggravating factors were involved in the crimes.  The jury decided in the affirmative that all three charges involved a particularly vulnerable victim, based on Opal’s age, and as to the Criminal Mistreatment charges, that the harm that occurred in this case was significantly greater than typical, given the death of Opal.

 

“Justice was done in this case.  Opal’s story was told, and the jury did the right thing.  I feel a lingering sadness, though, as the life of this innocent baby cannot be restored.”  Laura Kaercher, Deputy District Attorney.

 

“Opal was a vulnerable infant. The jury was forced to consider weighty evidence, and their verdict affirms what the evidence in this case made clear—Albin failed to provide necessary medical attention and physical care to Opal despite witnessing Opal’s abuse, exposure to methamphetamine, and deteriorating medical condition.”  Matt Ipson, Sr. Deputy District Attorney.