Romechia Simms was 24-years-old when her schizophrenia pushed her to a deadly extreme. She pushed the lifeless body of her son, Ji’Aire Donnell Lee, who had died of dehydration and hypothermia, back and forth on the swing for two days……CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Schizophrenic Romechia Simms, 25, pushed three-year-old Ji’Aire for 44 hours (Image: CCSO/FACEBOOK)
A mother pushed her tiny swing non-stop on a swing for more than two days, which resulted in his death.
Romechia Simms was just 24 when her schizophrenia drove her to this deadly extreme, pushing the lifeless body of her son, Ji’Aire Donnell Lee, who had succumbed to dehydration and hypothermia, back and forth on the swing for 44 hours.
Police discovered Ji’Aire was alive when he was first placed on the swing, but died two days later. They were alerted to the horrifying scene in La Plata park, South Maryland, in 2015 by a concerned member of the public.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office revealed that their investigations showed Simms had been pushing him in the swing since they entered the park 44 hours earlier, at around 11.15am on May 2. The temperature had plummeted to 10C during the night.
Spokeswoman Diane Richardson confirmed an autopsy found the toddler died of dehydration and hypothermia, and his death had been ruled a homicide.
The boy died of dehydration and hypothermia (Image: Facebook)
Simms had a history of mental health issues and had previously suffered a mental breakdown, leading her mother to call for understanding.
Vontasha Simms shared a photo of Ji’Aire on Facebook, announcing she was establishing a charity in his memory to raise awareness of “the desperate needs of those who are mentally ill”.
“There is a need that must be filled,” she wrote. “We embrace those that may have cancer, sickle cell anaemia, high blood pressure, even those that may suffer from substance abuse.
“It does take a village to raise a child. And yes, we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. Each and every life has meaning and a purpose. Those that suffer from mental illness may life a very lonely and unproductive life if they don’t receive the resources, support and love that is needed.
“It could be a mother, father, sister, brother, a child, a family member or yourself. Mental illness touches every family in this country. Let’s not shun them or look down upon them because it could be you.”
In 2016 Simms escaped prison and was instructed to take her medication and consult a psychiatrist as part of an arrangement endorsed by a Maryland judge, according to Maryland Courts.
The 25-year-old faced charges of involuntary manslaughter, first-degree child abuse and child neglect resulting in death.
A court-appointed forensic psychologist informed a Charles County judge that Simms was afflicted with schizophrenia and therefore not criminally liable for the child’s death.
Prosecutors accepted an Alford plea – where the accused does not confess guilt but recognises there is sufficient evidence for a conviction……CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
