A 3-month-old girl allegedly killed by her mother was ordered removed from her mother's care and had been placed in the care of the mother's aunt, officials said in a news conference Tuesday.But Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said the aunt allowed the baby's mother, Deasia Watkins, 20, to stay in her home while the child was there.Watch this story | Watch the news conferenceWatkins had been living in the home for about a week before the baby's death, Deters said.On March 6, the child, Jaynai Watkins, was ordered removed from Deasia Watkins' care at a hearing where abuse and neglect of the child was alleged.The first incident recorded took place Jan. 25, when Cheviot police responded to a home for a report of a woman screaming and a baby crying.Cierra Johnson lives next door, and said she called 911, along with other neighbors."I was like, 'I'll give it 20 minutes and maybe it'll stop.' But then I heard the mom screaming, 'Why are you doing this to me?' and then it made me super nervous. So, I was like, 'I mean, I have to call someone,'" Johnson said.Officers said they found Watkins apparently under the influence of marijuana and refusing to let paramedics look at her daughter. Once paramedics got the girl, Watkins fell the to the floor and passed out, police said.The child's alleged father told investigators that Watkins had been "acting crazy lately, speaking of demons."Court records state that Deasia Watkins was subsequently diagnosed with postpartum psychosis during a 72-hour hold at Deaconess Hospital. She was declared to be safe with her daughter only when taking her prescribed medication, Risperdal.But a social worker said in a statement filed Feb. 24 that Watkins was not taking her medication.Per the March 6 order, neither parent was allowed to be with the child unsupervised so long as the baby was in the custody of Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services.Deters said that HCJFS gave custody of the child to her mother's aunt, the child's great-aunt, and the aunt subsequently allowed Deasia Watkins to stay with her about a week prior to the child's death.Prosecutors said HCJFS social workers last saw the baby at their offices the Friday before her death.Deters said on the morning of the incident, relatives dropped off three children at the home to wait for their school bus, as usual. The aunt was still asleep. A 5-year-old entered the home and found the baby's body on a counter, Deters said.The child ran to tell a relative, authorities said. The aunt called 911 around 6 a.m.Hamilton County Coroner Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco said the child suffered multiple stab wounds on the right side of the face and head. Sammarco said the baby had a fractured right arm and the child's head had been severed from her body.Sammarco said the official cause on the death certificate is still being discussed, but decapitation would be used.Deasia Watkins was found in a bed, covered in blood, Deters said.When asked if the knife was found, officials said a chef's knife was used and it was found in the child's hand."Oh my gosh. That makes me want to cry. That's so awful. I'm sad that me calling didn't help. That's awful. I just can't believe that," Johnson said."We have seen everything, and this is beyond description," Deters said.When asked if the aunt would be prosecuted, Deters said the court order was issued for Deasia Watkins, not the aunt. He said charges against the aunt would be "very difficult to prosecute."Deters said Watkins no longer looks "anything like" the driver's license photo that was released upon her arrest, saying she's not been taking care of herself over the last few months.Deters said if there is an underlying mental illness, it developed recently and very rapidly.Deasia Watkins was undergoing psychiatric evaluation at UC Medical Center. She was charged with aggravated murder.Deters said at this time, he will not pursue the death penalty in the case, noting Watkins' mental health issues.
CINCINNATI —
A 3-month-old girl allegedly killed by her mother was ordered removed from her mother's care and had been placed in the care of the mother's aunt, officials said in a news conference Tuesday.
But Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said the aunt allowed the baby's mother, Deasia Watkins, 20, to stay in her home while the child was there.
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Watch this story | Watch the news conference
Watkins had been living in the home for about a week before the baby's death, Deters said.
On March 6, the child, Jaynai Watkins, was ordered removed from Deasia Watkins' care at a hearing where abuse and neglect of the child was alleged.
The first incident recorded took place Jan. 25, when Cheviot police responded to a home for a report of a woman screaming and a baby crying.
Cierra Johnson lives next door, and said she called 911, along with other neighbors.
"I was like, 'I'll give it 20 minutes and maybe it'll stop.' But then I heard the mom screaming, 'Why are you doing this to me?' and then it made me super nervous. So, I was like, 'I mean, I have to call someone,'" Johnson said.
Officers said they found Watkins apparently under the influence of marijuana and refusing to let paramedics look at her daughter. Once paramedics got the girl, Watkins fell the to the floor and passed out, police said.
The child's alleged father told investigators that Watkins had been "acting crazy lately, speaking of demons."
Court records state that Deasia Watkins was subsequently diagnosed with postpartum psychosis during a 72-hour hold at Deaconess Hospital. She was declared to be safe with her daughter only when taking her prescribed medication, Risperdal.
But a social worker said in a statement filed Feb. 24 that Watkins was not taking her medication.
Per the March 6 order, neither parent was allowed to be with the child unsupervised so long as the baby was in the custody of Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services.
Deters said that HCJFS gave custody of the child to her mother's aunt, the child's great-aunt, and the aunt subsequently allowed Deasia Watkins to stay with her about a week prior to the child's death.
Prosecutors said HCJFS social workers last saw the baby at their offices the Friday before her death.
Deters said on the morning of the incident, relatives dropped off three children at the home to wait for their school bus, as usual. The aunt was still asleep. A 5-year-old entered the home and found the baby's body on a counter, Deters said.
The child ran to tell a relative, authorities said. The aunt called 911 around 6 a.m.
Hamilton County Coroner Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco said the child suffered multiple stab wounds on the right side of the face and head. Sammarco said the baby had a fractured right arm and the child's head had been severed from her body.
Sammarco said the official cause on the death certificate is still being discussed, but decapitation would be used.
Deasia Watkins was found in a bed, covered in blood, Deters said.
When asked if the knife was found, officials said a chef's knife was used and it was found in the child's hand.
"Oh my gosh. That makes me want to cry. That's so awful. I'm sad that me calling didn't help. That's awful. I just can't believe that," Johnson said.
"We have seen everything, and this is beyond description," Deters said.
When asked if the aunt would be prosecuted, Deters said the court order was issued for Deasia Watkins, not the aunt. He said charges against the aunt would be "very difficult to prosecute."
Deters said Watkins no longer looks "anything like" the driver's license photo that was released upon her arrest, saying she's not been taking care of herself over the last few months.
Deters said if there is an underlying mental illness, it developed recently and very rapidly.
Deasia Watkins was undergoing psychiatric evaluation at UC Medical Center. She was charged with aggravated murder.
Deters said at this time, he will not pursue the death penalty in the case, noting Watkins' mental health issues.
