April 21, 2021- 5:20 p.m.
OREGON (WREX) — An Oregon woman has been arrested in connection to the death of a 7-year-old boy from Oregon earlier this year.
Sarah Safranek, 34, of Oregon, was charged with five counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery to a child.
Nathaniel Burton died on Feb. 17 after Oregon Police said they responded to Burton’s home after a report of the boy not breathing. Authorities ruled Burton’s death a homicide, though no arrests had been made before Wednesday.
Burton died due to suffocation, according to the Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock.
On April 1, 13 WREX learned that Oregon Police Chief Shawn Melville said information uncovered during the investigation into Burton’s death caused authorities to request an advanced toxicology report. The results of the advanced toxicology report is pending.
The entire Oregon community mourned Burton’s death as a vigil was held just days after he died. The community then came together to pay for a large part of his funeral.
On Tuesday, Oregon Elementary School unveiled a new bench in honor of Burton.
Authorities don’t believe there will be any other charges in Burton’s death.
Safranek is being held in the Ogle County Jail and is scheduled to appear in bond court on Thursday.
