Moorhead, MN – A Minnesota mother accused of second-degree murder in the death of her 20-month-old son is asking a judge to throw out her interviews with police, claiming her rights were violated when officers questioned her without reading her a Miranda warning.
Valerie Zamora, 33, was arrested in May 2024 after authorities determined that her son, Jose, died from blunt force injuries consistent with assault. Prosecutors allege that Zamora failed to seek medical help for her son in time and later provided conflicting accounts about what happened before his death.
The Incident: 20-Month-Old Dies After Walmart Stop
On the night of May 15, 2024, Zamora and her partner were driving their son to a hospital in Dilworth, a city roughly 230 miles northwest of Minneapolis. However, before reaching the emergency room, the couple stopped at a Walmart to buy Pedialyte, believing it might help Jose recover.
While Zamora was inside the store, Jose began vomiting blood in the car as he was being held by her daughter. According to court documents, the girl told investigators she thought her little brother was “going to die.”
Zamora’s partner rushed inside the store to get her, and the family sped to the hospital, where Jose was pronounced dead at 11:05 p.m. An autopsy later revealed that the child had broken ribs, bruises, and internal injuries, with the manner of death ruled a homicide.
Police said Zamora claimed her son bruised easily and initially insisted he had been sick for several days. However, witnesses told investigators they had urged her to take the boy to the hospital earlier that day, but she allegedly gave him Tylenol and Gatorade instead and continued running errands.
Surveillance footage later showed Zamora entering Walmart at 10:12 p.m., minutes before her son began vomiting blood in the parking lot.
Investigation and Interviews: Defense Challenges Police Conduct
Following Jose’s death, investigators from the Moorhead Police Department interviewed Zamora three times — twice at the hospital and once at the police station. Detective Katie Schultz testified that Zamora voluntarily spoke with investigators and was not under arrest at the time. Because of that, officers did not read her Miranda rights during any of the interviews.
Zamora reportedly requested an attorney during the third interview, at which point police immediately stopped questioning her. Schultz said the goal of the interviews was to “gather information about a suspicious death,” not to interrogate a suspect.
However, Zamora’s attorney, Michael Minard, argued in Clay County District Court that her statements should be excluded from trial because she was questioned about the homicide without being advised of her right to remain silent.
“She was interviewed multiple times, provided detailed statements, and the nature of those interviews went far beyond a casual inquiry,” Minard said in court.
The defense claims that the absence of Miranda warnings and the emotional state of Zamora after her child’s death made the interviews coercive and unfair.
Key Statements and Conflicting Accounts
During the recorded interviews, Zamora allegedly told police she hesitated to bring her son to the hospital earlier because she was afraid social services would take her children away. Investigators said her story changed multiple times regarding her son’s condition.
Initially, she described his vomiting as “normal,” but later admitted that Jose vomited a black or dark substance before his death. According to police, the shifting explanations raised suspicions and contributed to the homicide charge.
Detectives also cited witness statements saying Jose appeared severely ill for hours before the Walmart stop. Despite repeated warnings from family and friends to seek medical care, Zamora delayed treatment until it was too late.
Court Proceedings and Legal Arguments
During a hearing on Monday, Judge Jade Rosenfeldt heard arguments from both sides regarding the admissibility of the interviews. Prosecutors countered that Zamora was not in custody at the time and had been told she could leave or stop the interview at any time.
“There was no custodial interrogation, and Ms. Zamora willingly participated in the discussions,” prosecutors said.
The court is expected to rule on the motion before Zamora’s trial begins. The outcome could significantly affect the prosecution’s case, as Zamora’s interviews include key inconsistencies that investigators say reveal her culpability.
Background and Charges
Zamora remains in custody at the Clay County Jail, where she was transferred following her extradition from Cass County. She is charged with second-degree murder in connection with her son’s death.
If convicted, Zamora faces up to 40 years in prison under Minnesota law. Prosecutors say the case highlights the devastating consequences of child neglect and delayed medical care, while the defense maintains that Zamora did not intentionally harm her son.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
The judge’s decision on whether to suppress Zamora’s interviews will likely come before the end of the month. If the statements are excluded, the prosecution may need to rely heavily on forensic evidence, witness testimony, and surveillance footage to prove intent.
Meanwhile, the community continues to mourn the loss of 20-month-old Jose, whose death has renewed conversations about child safety, parental responsibility, and the role of social services in preventing tragedy.
Conclusion
As the case moves toward trial, the court’s ruling on Zamora’s interviews could shape the trajectory of one of Minnesota’s most emotionally charged child homicide cases. For now, both sides await the decision that will determine what evidence the jury will be allowed to hear.
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