Orange County mother charged with murder in death of her 2-year-old son in Placentia

A woman has been charged with murder in the death last year of her 2-year-old son in Placentia after investigators determined the boy’s death was not caused by drowning as initially believed, the Orange County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

Melissa Lynn Beisel, 41, has been charged with one count of murder and one felony count of assault on a child resulting in death.

On Sept. 22, 2025, Placentia police officers responded to Beisel's home and found her in a running shower with the body of her son, Aidan, according to prosecutors.

Authorities said Beisel had suffered superficial stab wounds to her neck and arms and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The boy's father called 911 after finding Beisel in the shower with their son.

The case initially iwas nvestigated as a possible drowning. However, a subsequent investigation ruled out drowning as the cause of death and determined the toddler's death was a homicide, prosecutors said. Authorities have not publicly disclosed how the child died.

Beisel was arrested June 4 in Coarsegold, a community in Madera County where investigators said she had moved after her son's death. She was being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on June 30.

If convicted on all charges, Beisel faces 25 years to life in prison.

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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 6:35 PM.