A 34-year-old mother from Lake County, Florida, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and child neglect in connection with the death of her boyfriend’s 9-year-old daughter.
Ekwutosblog reports that Tyshael Elise Martin was taken into custody near her Montverde home on Wednesday evening.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews responded to Martin’s home on June 17 after receiving a report that 9-year-old Jamaria Sessions was unresponsive. When they arrived, they found the child with multiple injuries, including abrasions, bruises, burns, and possible bite marks.
An investigation by the medical examiner found that Jamaria’s injuries were consistent with physical abuse. Further investigation by the sheriff’s office uncovered video footage from the family’s security system, which allegedly showed Martin directing the family’s Rottweiler to attack Jamaria on the night of June 15.
The video also showed Martin kicking the child repeatedly as she lay motionless on the floor and dragging her body across the floor while striking and shaking her.
Authorities also obtained interviews, videos, and text messages suggesting that Jamaria was subjected to various forms of punishment, including extended periods of sitting at a wall, running in place with her hands raised, and being hit with objects.
The child’s autopsy report indicated that her cause of death was complications from multiple blunt injuries to the head, torso, and extremities, along with an injury to her right foot. The manner of death was ruled homicide.
Martin was processed and booked into the Lake County jail, where she is being held without bond.
