LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against a Montverde woman who was arrested in August on murder and child abuse charges in the death of a 9-year-old girl, according to new court filings.
Tyshael Elise Martin was arrested in the death of her boyfriend’s daughter, Jamaria Sessions, who was found dead in a home along the 16000 block of Harbor Oak Drive on June 17, deputies said.
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A notice of intent filed earlier this month shows Martin would face the death penalty if found guilty of first-degree murder.
According to the sheriff’s office, the girl’s injuries were “consistent with physical abuse.”
Leading up to the girl’s death, detectives obtained footage from the family’s security system on June 15 that showed Jamaria “being viciously attacked by the family’s 103-pound Rottweiler, with Tyshael commanding the attack while holding the dog’s leash,” officials said.
“The abuse continued to the point at which Tyshael can be seen dragging Jamaria’s nearly motionless body across the floor. Jamaria was then repeatedly struck and shaken by Tyshael, who can be heard in the video possibly saying, ‘I’m fixin’ to kill her,’” a release said.
The sheriff’s office said detectives learned the girl was punished with prolonged wall sits, running in place with her arms up, being hit with objects, and being kicked, punched, and pinched.
The girl’s father was also arrested in August on aggravated manslaughter of a child.
Martin faces a child neglect charge in addition to first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse charges.
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