Michigan – A Michigan woman, 31-year-old lesha, formally pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder in the death of her friend’s child, 3. The plea deal resulted in the dismissal of the initial charges of feIony murder and first-degree chiId abuse. The 31-year-old defendant is scheduled for sentencing on May 29, 2025, and could face up to life in prison.
The tragic incident occurred in March last year, at a her residence in Michigan. The defendant, a longtime friend of the victim’s mother, was babysitting the child, Harmony, 3, at the time. According to prosecutors, the defendant reportedly became enraged after the child, who was autistic and nonverbaI, vomited on herseIf. In response, the woman reportedly poured scaIding water on the child’s face and head and then slammed her head against the side of a bathtub.
Instead of calling emergency services, the defendant then contacted the victim’s mother via video chat, claiming the child had fallen down the stairs but was otherwise fine. When the parent arrived the next morning, she found the victim unresponsive in bed. The child was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The Police Department’s Special Victims Unit conducted an investigation into the child’s death. The defendant was arrested in March last year and initially charged with feIony murder and first-degree chiId abuse.
During the investigation, the defendant reportedly admitted to the assault, stating she had locked the child and her own 1-year-old child in a bedroom for approximately three hours while she smoked marljuana. Upon returning, she discovered the victim had vomited, leading to the fatal assault.
The case has drawn significant attention and outrage from the Michigan community. The victim’s parents have expressed their grief and disbelief over the loss of their daughter at the hands of someone they considered a trusted friend. The incident has also sparked discussions about child abuse prevention and the importance of thorough background checks for caregivers.