South Dakota woman arrested for murder after boy died under her care

A South Dakota woman has been charged with murder after a 17-month-old boy died of a brain injury under her care at an unlicensed daycare in her home. 

Mother-of-two Amanda Walder, 31, was initially charged with abuse or cruelty of a minor, but the charges were upgraded to second degree murder, two counts of first degree manslaughter, and aggravated battery of an infant after Liam Koistinen died at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls. 

On July 13, Walder, a mother-of-two, called police from the daycare in the 200 block of 15th Street in Watertown, saying she couldn't wake Liam up from his nap. 

When police arrived, the child was  unconscious and was taken to Watertown Hospital, where doctors found swelling and bleeding caused by trauma in Liam's brain. 

He died the next day. 

His parents Jeff and Genevie Koistinen were heartbroken by their son's loss.

'We hurt so much at to loss of Liam,' Jeff wrote in a Facebook post.

Yet, incredibly, the couple say they have forgiven Walder for the murder of their son.

'Amanda, we pray for you and we forgive you. We really mean that,' Jeff added. 

Walder was taken into custody after Liam was found unconscious, and admitted that she may have unintentionally hurt Liam when he wouldn't take a nap. 

She is now being held at Codington County Detention Center under a $100,000 bail.  

Walder appeared on court on Friday, September 3, but did not enter any pleas.   

Her lawyer, Jennifer Goldammer, tried to reduce the bond, citing that Walder had two children in pre-school and the second grade, no previous criminal record, and had no risk of flying. 

The judge declined the request, saying the bond was accordingly with murder charges.

Liam was visiting Watertown with his parents Jeff and Genevie Koistinen, from Warana, Arizona. They were traveling for the summer to spend time with Liam's grandparents.