I do not suggest you read the article unless you are mentally ready as the details are nasty.
Mother, fiancé charged in death of 11-year-old autistic child, caused abdomen to split
Quote:
Officials said a woman charged with the murder of her 11-year-old daughter is denied bond.
WTKR reports Norfolk Police found 11-year-old Heaven Watkins dead inside a home in Norfolk.
According to relatives, Heaven had autism and cerebral palsy.
Heaven's mother, Latoya Smith, and her fiancé, Demont Harris, were both charged with second-degree murder.
The Medical Examiner revealed that Heaven's cause of death has been ruled as blunt force trauma to the head and torso. They also said the manner of death was homicide.
The Medical Examiner's reports presented in court Friday showed a head injury and brain bleeding, as well as abdominal injuries.
The reports suggest the child was hit so hard in the abdomen that her abdomen split open a few days before she was found dead.
In addition, the Medical Examiner report showed 12 to 13 old rib fractures, as well as two to three new fractures that were sustained a few days before Heaven was found dead.
According to officials, the mother allegedly admitted to “punishing “Heaven for bringing a toy into the bathtub.
Smith also admitted to only feeding her bread and water a few days before she was found dead.
Officials in court said Smith and her fiance were previously charged when Harris burned Heaven's skin by putting her hand under hot water.
_________________
“Self Acceptance is a process not a performance”
“You are autistic enough. And you always have been”
Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity.
29 May 2018, 1:10 am
