Two-year-old girl dies from dehydration at the hand of her stepmother
Two-year-old girl dies from dehydration at the hand of her stepmother
A two-year-old Virginia girl who police believe was killed by her stepmother died from dehydration, Richmond officials said.
The medical examiner’s office ruled Ariellisa Simmons’ death as homicide by dehydration as results of the autopsy were released on Tuesday.
Her stepmother, 35-year-old Andrea Watkins-Simmons, has been charged with first-degree murder, felony murder and child neglect in the girl’s death.
Police sources have said Ariellisa’s body was found on January 16 in the attic of an unoccupied apartment off Chamberlayne Avenue.
Last November, Watkins-Simmons was reported missing and police said at the time that they believed Ariellisa was with her.
The stepmother was then arrested in New York in late January on a charge of felony abduction and was returned to Virginia last week, according to police.
Watkins-Simmons is being held at Richmond City Jail without bond and is set to appear in court on May 2, WTVR reported.
A two-year-old Virginia girl who police believe was killed by her stepmother died from dehydration, Richmond officials said.
