Jayniah Watkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Social workers checked on Jayniah Watkins at least ten times and warned relatives to keep her mother away in the weeks before Jayniah  was found decapitated. Social workers became involved on January 25, when Watkins was hospitalized following an incident at her home in which police found her screaming and Jayniah crying loudly. Watkins initially refused to hand Jayniah over and, after she did, passed out with her eyes open. She was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis and hospitalized for three days. Jayniah was placed with her father James Brown and Watkins was permitted to move back in with them when she got out of the hospital. She was not, however, allowed to be alone with her infant daughter and was told she could stay in the home only if she took her medication Social workers checked on Jayniah while in Brown's care. Jayniah appeared to be healthy and in good condition. However, on March 6th Jayniah was removed from Brown’s care when a judge determined that Watkins had stopped taking her medication and had been seen breast feeding Jayniah.

 

Jayniah was then been placed with an aunt. The aunt was warned that mother should not be alone with the child. Watkins moved into the aunt's house though social workers were not aware until the morning, when police responded to a 911 call and found Jayniah decapitated and stabbed multiple times with a large chef's knife in the kitchen. Jayniah also suffered multiple stab wounds to the face and a fractured right arm. Watkins was found in bed covered in blood. Watkins stabbed Jayniah 15 times, cut off her head and left her tiny body covered in blood on the kitchen counter. Jayniah’s body was discovered by a five year old child who was dropped off at the home before school. The aunt was asleep during the attack.

 

Prosecutors have said it's unlikely they will seek the death penalty because of the severity of Watkins' mental illness. She is charged with aggravated murder and is in the hospital, under guard. It’s not yet clear if the aunt will face any charges in Jayniah’s death. I certainly think she should be. She should have never let the mother in the home after a court order and warnings from caseworkers.