Merced woman arrested on arson, child endangerment charges

Investigators say 37-year-old Karen Moore told dispatchers she was trying to kill herself and get rid of her baby by setting fire to her apartment.

Merced Police and Fire Department responded to Moore's apartment on South Street, near Sonora Street, just after midnight on Wednesday morning. They say Moore had called 911 and told dispatchers she was trying to kill herself -- then stated she was trying to get rid of her baby.

Authorities arrived on the scene to find Moore and her baby outside of the home. Child Protective Services released the infant boy to his father.

Six other residents were displaced by the fire due to smoke damage.