On September 22, 2025, at approximately 9:08 PM, Placentia Public Safety Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call reference a 2-year-old male child who was unresponsive, according to the Placentia Police Department.
Placentia Police Officers and Placentia Fire personnel arrived on scene and located the male child in the bathroom, and life saving measures began.
The child was transported to an area hospital where he was ultimately pronounced deceased. The child’s mother was also transported to an area hospital with self-inflicted wounds.
The investigation revealed that the mother was giving the child a bath in a walk-in shower, using a plastic storage bin. The mother walked out of the bathroom to obtain some soap and left the child alone for approximately 2 minutes. When the mother returned, she found the child face down in the bin, unresponsive. The mother began CPR on the child and when it was not effective, the mother harmed herself with a sharp object.
The mother, identified as Melissa Lynn Beisel, age 40, stayed in the bathroom with the child for approximately 6 hours before she was located by a family member who called 9-1-1.
Based on investigation at the scene as well as interviews conducted, Beisel was taken into custody after being discharged from the hospital for involuntary manslaughter and child ab*se causing great bodily injury.
This incident is still under investigation and anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Placentia Police Department Detective Bureau at (714) 993-8146. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Orange County Crimestoppers at (855) TIPS-OCCS or https://occrimestoppers.org.
Based on California law, Melissa Lynn Beisel faces serious legal consequences for the charges of involuntary manslaughter and child ab*se causing great bodily injury. Here’s a summary of the potential penalties:
Involuntary Manslaughter (Penal Code 192(b))
- Classification: Felony
- Penalties:
- 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison
- Fine up to $10,000
- Possible felony probation in some cases
- May count as a strike offense under California’s Three Strikes Law if a deadly weapon was involved
Child Abuse Causing Great Bodily Injury (Penal Code 273a)
- Classification: Felony
- Penalties:
- 2, 4, or 6 years in state prison
- If the child abuse results in death, prosecutors may pursue enhanced charges or additional sentencing under California’s sentencing guidelines
- May also trigger civil liability from the victim’s family
Additional Considerations
- The court may consider aggravating factors, such as the age of the victim and the circumstances of the incident.
- The mother’s mental health status and intent may influence sentencing, especially if psychological evaluations are introduced.
- A conviction could result in loss of parental rights, restrictions on future contact with children, and mandatory counseling or treatment.
If convicted on both charges, Beisel could face multiple years in prison, fines, and long-term legal consequences. The case may also involve civil litigation from the child’s surviving family members.
What an unimaginable tragedy. This woman’s life is ruined, and her baby is gone, and her guilt will crush her for the rest of her life. What will parading her through the legal system with threats of locking her away in a psychopathic lion’s den of criminals do to mend any of the pain. There are some times I think our justice system is evil. This is one of them. May God have mercy on her soul.