Twin Falls woman accused of baby murder arraigned in district court

TWIN FALLS — A Twin Falls woman accused of murdering her 20-month-old baby was arraigned in district court Monday after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing.

Amanda Dunlap, 23, faces eight counts of felony injury to a child, one count of misdemeanor injury to a child, and one count of murder in the first degree. She was charged shortly after the October death of her infant daughter, Lyryk Altom.

Dunlap took Lyryk to the St. Luke’s Magic Valley emergency room with bleeding in her brain on Oct. 8, 2017. The baby was flown to Boise, where she died six days later.

A doctor at St. Luke’s told police he believed her head injuries were caused by non-accidental blunt force trauma, according to court documents. Doctors also found bruises and scratches while examining the baby, as well as several broken bones and a lacerated liver.

Dunlap decided in late June to waive her right to a preliminary hearing. She was arraigned in district court Monday.

Her boyfriend at the time of Lyryk’s death, Joshua Molina, was arrested in March after Dunlap told police she had previously lied about his involvement.

Photos and text messages reviewed by police suggest that Molina may have physically abused the baby over a period of several months leading up to her death, according to court documents.

Dunlap told police that Molina wouldn’t let her take Lyryk to see a doctor after she had a seizure on Oct. 8. She said Molina had been blowing marijuana in the baby’s face to alleviate the symptoms of her seizures and he was afraid of the legal consequences if police found out.

Court documents show that Dunlap faces one count of felony injury to a child for “refusing or failing to provide or to seek emergency medical care” for Lyryk.

A grand jury indicted Molina in May on one count of murder in the first degree and four counts of injury to a child. A plea entry hearing for Molina is scheduled for July 30.

A status conference for Dunlap is set for Sept. 17.