California Mom Accused of Killing Daughter, 8

(Venture, California) A 25-year-old local woman, Blair Stockdill, has been accused of murdering her eight-year-old daughter.

Stockdill faces charges of murder and child abuse.

On Sept. 20, Alaina Stockdill was found dead lying on her side in an empty bathtub, her head resting on a small pillow.[…]

Authorities said Alaina likely had been dead for several days before she was found on the morning of Sept. 20. She last attended Elmhurst School on Sept. 15. Her mother called the school the next day to say her daughter was ill and would not be in, authorities have said.

Blair Stockdill, who had a history of mental illness, lost custody of Alaina about five years ago. They had lived together in the Ventura apartment for several years, and Blair regained legal custody in December, according to county records.

Both Ventura police and county social workers went to Blair and Alaina’s home to investigate an abuse allegation in the weeks before the girl’s death but said they found no evidence that would have warranted removal of the child from the home.

Stockdill was booked into custody with bail set at $530,000.