Foster Mother Accused of Neglect in 2-Year-Old's Death

By Kirsten McIntyre, NEWS 9

GUTHRIE, Oklahoma -- A Logan County foster mother accused of neglect made her initial appearance Tuesday afternoon in Guthrie.

Amy Holder was not alone Tuesday when she made her initial court appearance. About 50 supporters-all wearing purple ribbons- were also in the courtroom. No one wanted to go on camera but said they were there to show they cared.

Holder is charged with one count of child abuse. Prosecutors believe she beat 2-year-old Naomi Whitecrow to death in January 2009. Naomi lived with Holder for four months.

Authorities believe she played a role in the death of the 2-year-old Naomi Whitecrow in January 2009. According to a court affidavit, Holder claims the child was withdrawn, had problems talking, eating and walking. However, an agent with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation claims he talked to several people involved in the case and they report the child was fine before she was placed in Holder's care.

"There have been some concerns expressed by the Oklahoma Child Death Review Board about the facts in the case in that there was some suspension that there may have been criminal activity involved in it," Rob Hudson, Logan County District Attorney, said.

For eight months, the OSBI looked into the case. Their findings were turned over to the district attorney's office in Logan County where last week prosecutors decided to charge Holder with child abuse.

"A case like this involving the death of a child is disturbing," said Hudson. "OSBI has invested a lot of man hours in this case investigating this case. This is the largest case report I have ever seen in my career as prosecutor, very in depth."

Holder's attorney, Scott Adams, calls the case "ludicrous." He says the child was sick and when his client called DHS to report her concerns, she was told there was no place else to put her.

Holder is free on $100,000 bond. Her attorney says she has three children of her own, but they won't be removed from the home.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May.

Read the Arrest Warrant Affidavit

More on News9.com: Foster Mom Arrested Almost 1 Year After Child's Death