Placer County law enforcement officials today announced they have arrested a 66-year-old woman in the death of her child 42 years ago.
The cold case homicide involves Patricia Lee Thomas, 66, of Grass Valley. She was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of killing her 4-year-old daughter. Thomas is also known as Patricia Lee Howell.
The child's death occurred May 25, 1970 in Auburn. The girl's death was originally listed as a bathtub drowning.
A press release from Placer County District Attorney's Office and the Auburn Police Department did not say what led investigators to arresting Thomas more than four decades after the little girl's death.
"Information recently obtained by law enforcement initiated the re-opening of the investigation," the statement read. "That investigation led to additional evidence that resulted in last night's arrest of Thomas."
Thomas is scheduled to be arraigned in Dept. 13 of Placer County Superior Court at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
"This horrendous criminal act occurred 42 years ago," said Auburn Police Chief John Ruffcorn. "The collaborative investigation between the two agencies was instrumental in this arrest."
Officials declined further comment.









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