Mom of boy found dead in swing 'not criminally responsible'
LA PLATA, Md. -- A judge says Romechia Simms, the woman who was found pushing her three-year-old Ji'Aire Lee in a swing for two days, is not criminally responsible for the death of her son.
Simms entered an Alford plea on Count 2 of manslaughter on Monday morning. She was heard crying in court as events were recounted.
The three-year-old boy was found on a swing at Wills Memorial Park in Maryland on the morning of May 22. He died of dehydration and hypothermia, according to the Charles County Sheriff's Office.
Officials say the court-appointed psychologist ruled that the 25-year-old mother is schizophrenic. In addition, the psychologist ruled that Simms does not understand that her actions were criminal.
Simms mother says her daughter's mental illness was sudden. However, they tried to get help before this incident happened.