Tyshael Martin (Source: Lake County Jail)
LAKE COUNTY, Florida. – A Florida woman has been taken into custody for allegedly killing her boyfriend’s young daughter, police said.
Tyshael Elise Martin, 34, was arrested on a warrant near her Montverde home shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said she is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and child neglect.
On June 17, the investigation began after a 911 call was received reporting 9-year-old Jamaria Sessions unresponsive at her Harbar Oaks Drive home, where she lived with Martin. Emergency responders arrived to find the child with numerous abrasions, bruises, burns and possible bite marks. Lake County officials were asked to respond.
A preliminary examination by the on-site coroner found that the injuries indicated physical abuse, according to a press release.
Investigators executed a search warrant to obtain video footage from the family’s security system. A series of footage from the night of June 15 shows Jamaria being “brutally” attacked by the family’s 100-pound Rottweiler, with Martin directing the attack while holding the dog’s leash, the LCSO said in a news release. The footage also reportedly shows Martin repeatedly kicking Jamaria, who lies motionless on the ground.
Martin was also observed dragging Jamaria’s nearly lifeless body across the floor and continuing to hit and shake her. Martin may have been heard saying, “I’m going to kill her,” officials said.
Further investigation through interviews, additional videos and text messages revealed that Jamaria’s usual punishment included sitting against the wall for long periods of time, running in place with arms raised, hitting with various objects, and kicking, punching and pinching.
On Tuesday, investigators received the child’s autopsy results, which indicated the cause of death was complications from multiple blunt trauma to the head, torso and extremities, as well as thermal injury to her right foot. The cause of death was ruled a homicide, officials said.
Martin was taken to the Lake County Jail where she is being held without bail.
