Teen faces murder charge in infant's drowning

DALLAS — Two-month-old Justice Hull lived most of her short life with another family at a southern Dallas apartment complex because her mother was jailed shortly after giving birth.

Justice's mother received approval from Child Protective Services to leave her baby in the care of a friend. But when that friend left for work Monday morning, police say her 14-year-old daughter drowned the infant.

"The facts of the case are that a 14-year-old intentionally drowned a two-month-old girl," Dallas police Maj. Robert Sherwin said.

According to police, the teen called 911 to report the death. Police say they still don't know the motive.

Shuntavia Calhoun, who also lives at the Hickory Trace Apartments, can't imagine, either. She said this seemed like a good family.

"They had smiles on their faces, they spoke politely… you know… manners," Calhoun said. "They seemed so sweet and innocent, so for something like this to happen is like, wow."

A relative of baby Justice collapsed outside the apartment after being told of the infant's death. Family members said the infant's mother saw that moment on TV from inside the jail where she's still locked up, and now dealing with a wrenching loss.

"We talked to her," Sherwin said. "That is obviously not a pleasant conversation. Regardless of what she did, she didn't deserve to have her baby killed."

A family member said Justice's mother was jailed because of problems with traffic tickets. Relatives are now trying to raise hundreds of dollars to get her out so she can attend her baby's funeral, but they have no idea how they will be able to pay for the burial.

CPS wouldn't comment on the case Monday, but a representative said the agency may have information to share on Tuesday.

As for the 14-year-old suspect, since she is charged with capital murder. It will be up to the court system to determine if she should be tried as an adult.

Even if that happens, if she is convicted she can't face the death penalty because of her age.