A Texas girl was sentenced to 50 years in jail final week for the 2019 killing of her boyfriend’s 4-year-old daughter, in keeping with the Harris County District Legal professional’s Workplace.
Shawna Hooey, 33, of Tomball, was taking good care of her personal 5 youngsters and 4-year-old Jakyzia Alexander when she took her to a 24-hour emergency middle on Sept. 7, 2019, Harris County District Legal professional Kim Ogg mentioned in a information launch.
On the emergency clinic on the day of her demise, Alexander’s physique was already chilly and Hooey reportedly instructed medical personnel and authorities at the very least 4 completely different tales about what occurred to the kid, who had a visual black eye and different accidents.
“Now we have to work collectively as a group to guard our youngsters who’re notably weak to abuse from violent adults,” Ogg mentioned. “We’re grateful to the jurors who acknowledged that this was not a single incident, however a sample of abuse and rightfully sentenced this girl to spend many years behind bars.”
2 TEXAS PRINCIPALS CHARGED FOR VIOLATING STATE ELECTION LAWS
Alexander started dwelling in Hooey’s dwelling when her father, who labored nights and had sole custody of her, entered a relationship with Hooey, Ogg mentioned. The lady’s father lived with members of the family at a special location nearer to his job, and barely noticed his daughter – solely seeing her via video calls within the two months earlier than her demise.
On the day of her demise, Hooey mentioned Alexander needed to be woken up and was taking deep, labored breaths and never performing usually. Hooey mentioned she drove the lady round “in a sizzling automotive to attempt to get her to breathe usually,” however in the end went dwelling to alter garments and take Alexander to the emergency clinic, in keeping with Ogg.
TEXAS MAN CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ON THE RUN AFTER FAILING TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR SENTENCING
In different variations of what occurred to Alexander earlier than she died, Hooey claimed the kid ran right into a doorknob in a single occasion and threw herself towards a bathroom paper holder within the rest room in one other. Each alleged incidents occurred two days earlier than Hooey took Alexander to the emergency room, and she or he claimed the kid was performing usually.
Additional examination revealed Alexander had indicators of repeated previous abuse, together with recent, resolving and healed accidents, in keeping with Ogg.
Alexander’s post-mortem confirmed she died from blunt drive trauma to the pinnacle, Ogg introduced, including that the deadly blow would have resulted in seizures, vomiting and dazed reactions nearly instantly. Witnesses testified that Alexander was performing usually the day earlier than she was taken to the emergency clinic.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Workplace investigated the case, and later charged Hooey with homicide.
Following a nine-day trial, a Harris County jury convicted Hooey of homicide and sentenced her to 50 years in jail.
Assistant District Legal professional Gilbert Sawtelle, a chief within the district lawyer’s workplace’s Baby Fatality Part, prosecuted Hooey and mentioned baby abusers usually work to cover indicators of abuse by preserving youngsters away from different adults or dressing them to cowl the accidents.
“Baby abuse does occur, and after we see it, we have to name it out and notify the police and baby protecting providers,” Sawtelle mentioned within the launch. “This lady was carrying lengthy sleeves within the summertime—and if somebody had observed her accidents and intervened, she would most likely nonetheless be right here right now.”
Hooey should serve at the very least half of her jail sentence earlier than she might be eligible for parole.
