A third grade student that lied to her grandmother about eating chocolate candy bars in a school bus, perished after the woman ordered her to run outside for three hours as punishment. The grandmother, and the child’s stepmother, are now charged with murder, as read in The Gadsden Times and other news sites.
Sheriff Todd Entrekin said that charged with S.H.’s murder are her grandmother, J.H.G., 46, and her stepmother, J.M.H., 27.
S.H., 9 years-old, died at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham on February 20. She had been on life support long enough for her father, employed as a contractor out of the country, to be able to get home.
It allegedly took S.H.’s father eight flights to make it home, and he was able to spend four hours wither her before she died.
Entrekin said, “My heart goes out to him. His daughter is dead and his wife and mother are in jail.”
While taking her school bus home on Friday, February 17, S.H. allegedly got the candy from someone on the bus, and ate them before getting out. Once S.H. got to her Mountainboro home J.H.G. discovered the lie and ordered her to run outside – allegedly for three hours straight.
At approximately 6:45 p.m. – after the youngster started having seizures and then collapsed – J.H. called 911 for help.
S.H.’s death was ruled a homicide by a pathologist following her autopsy. Entrekin said, “She was extremely dehydrated and had a low sodium level, much like that of a marathon runner with no water.”
“This has affected every investigator, and it has affected me. To be run to death is uncalled for,” added Entrekin.
District Attorney Jimmie Harp said that he expected that the charges will be upgraded to capital murder after the investigation is complete – each woman would then be facing the death penalty.
Harp said, “To be physically exerted to the point where she is dehydrated is a very tragic death.”
Deputy District Attorney Carol Griffith told reporters that the family contends that S.H. had a bladder infection and was not allowed chocolate because of it – but there is no evidence yet presented proving that the child had a bladder infection.
Marcus Reid, another Deputy District Attorney present, added, “The most serious cases are when we have children. Too many children have died because of abuse from parents and stepparents” and that “common sense should tell you they stepped over the line.”
The two women also had a three-year old boy and a newborn under their care – the Department of Human Resources has been contacted to determine a safety plan.
At the Carlisle Elementary School a memorial has been created by S.H.’s father for students to make signs or place items. A social worker and a crisis counseling team have also been made available if needed.
J.H.G. and J.M.H. are being held in jail, each on $500,000 cash bond.
Being charged with a crime, no matter how large or small, requires the right type of attorney. You must contact a criminal defense attorney, with just the kind of experience you need, as soon as possible.
