DETROIT – A 30-year-old woman has been charged with murder and held without bond for what prosecutors are calling a deadly case of child abuse.
Iesha Marie Harris faces charges of felony murder and first-degree child abuse in connection with the death of a 3-year-old girl.
“I want people to know my baby’s life mattered,” said Paris England. “She was not here for that long. Her life was stolen from her.”
England said her baby, Harmoni Henderson, was loved by everyone and lit up every room she was in. She’s now planning her daughter’s funeral.
Over the weekend, her friend in Southfield offered to watch Harmoni. Harris is accused of leaving Harmoni alone in a bedroom for three hours on Sunday, March 17, as she smoked marijuana. She reportedly became enraged when she found the toddler had thrown up on herself.
“Ms. Harris allegedly admitted to police she poured scalding water on top of the 3-year-old and slammed her head against the side of the bathtub,” said Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Douglas.
Prosecutors said Harris told Harmoni’s mom that her baby fell down the stairs and was fine, but England rushed to find Harmoni in a bed -- likely there for hours with no help.
“I snatched my baby up and ran,” England recalled. “I sped to the hospital. I did everything I thought I could but she was already gone.”
Harmoni was pronounced dead at the hospital. Prosecutors said Harmoni died from blunt force trauma.
England said she trusted Harris “wholeheartedly” before the incident.
Harris was denied bond. She is expected to return to court March 27.
