Dakota Valkyrie
May 23rd, 2009, 09:34 AM
http://i40.tinypic.com/2di26g5.jpgOne day after a 5-week-old Palatka girl died, investigators arrested her 20-year-old mother on charges of second-degree homicide.
Palatka police and rescue personnel called to a home at 9:10 a.m. Thursday found Destiny Lawson unresponsive.
"After she was screaming, they just went in there and the baby was gone," said Destiny's grandmother, Shelly Lawson. "My oldest daughter tried to do CPR, but it was too late."
The baby was transported to Putnam Community Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
While officials were not specific about any injuries to the child, police said the medical staff raised concerns about the cause of death.
Investigators processed the scene and questioned the mother and other relatives. Based on that evidence and information, the child's mother, Shovan Lawson, was arrested.
Lawson was booked into the Putnam County Jail and held without bond.
Shelly Lawson said her daughter has a history of mental illness, but she can't believe her daughter could do something to harm her baby.
"Sending her to prison wouldn't help her, it would just make things worse," she said. "I think she just needs help."
Channel 4 learned that Lawson lost another infant -- a 4-month-old boy -- in November. Police had not considered that death suspicious at the time, but they're taking another look.
"It's something we're looking into, as to whether that is true and the circumstance of that situation," said James Griffith, assistant chief of the Palatka Police Department.
The Florida Department of Children and Families is also investigating two children's deaths.http://www.news4jax.com/news/19540021/detail.html
Second degree homicide in Florida includes death caused by aggravated child abuse.
Palatka police and rescue personnel called to a home at 9:10 a.m. Thursday found Destiny Lawson unresponsive.
"After she was screaming, they just went in there and the baby was gone," said Destiny's grandmother, Shelly Lawson. "My oldest daughter tried to do CPR, but it was too late."
The baby was transported to Putnam Community Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
While officials were not specific about any injuries to the child, police said the medical staff raised concerns about the cause of death.
Investigators processed the scene and questioned the mother and other relatives. Based on that evidence and information, the child's mother, Shovan Lawson, was arrested.
Lawson was booked into the Putnam County Jail and held without bond.
Shelly Lawson said her daughter has a history of mental illness, but she can't believe her daughter could do something to harm her baby.
"Sending her to prison wouldn't help her, it would just make things worse," she said. "I think she just needs help."
Channel 4 learned that Lawson lost another infant -- a 4-month-old boy -- in November. Police had not considered that death suspicious at the time, but they're taking another look.
"It's something we're looking into, as to whether that is true and the circumstance of that situation," said James Griffith, assistant chief of the Palatka Police Department.
The Florida Department of Children and Families is also investigating two children's deaths.http://www.news4jax.com/news/19540021/detail.html
Second degree homicide in Florida includes death caused by aggravated child abuse.