A Washington woman is facing a second-degree murder charge in the death of her teenage daughter’s newborn son, months after the baby was born at a Tacoma-area home.
Dayjanay Thomas, 31, was initially arrested in February on a criminal mistreatment charge. Prosecutors later added the murder charge on Aug. 20 following a lengthy investigation into the newborn’s death.
According to court records, Thomas’ 14-year-old daughter gave birth to a boy at their home around 5 a.m. on Feb. 10. The teenager told her mother immediately after the birth and said she had not realized she was pregnant.
Instead of calling 911, Thomas allegedly told her daughter they would have to wait for transportation to the hospital. Hours later, the pair left the home with their landlord, who drove them to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma.
The landlord told investigators she did not know the teenager had already given birth. She said Thomas told her the cardboard box the girl was carrying was intended to be used if she became sick.
When they arrived at the hospital around 6:45 p.m., medical staff discovered that the box contained the newborn’s body.
Investigation revealed injuries to the newborn
An autopsy found that the baby had been alive at birth and suffered eight sharp-force injuries. The infant also had blunt-force injuries to the head. The medical examiner determined the manner of death was homicide.
Investigators later searched the home and found what appeared to be blood leading from the teenager’s bedroom toward a bathroom. They also reported finding blood in the bathroom, wet clothing, a serrated knife and scissors.
Court records say some of the injuries to the baby were consistent with the use of scissors.
Investigators also recovered text messages exchanged between Thomas and her daughter after the baby was taken to the hospital. The messages became part of the evidence reviewed during the investigation.
Thomas had told investigators that she did not know her daughter was pregnant or that she had given birth. She also acknowledged that the teenager had experienced symptoms that could have been associated with pregnancy.
Prosecutors took months before adding murder charge
Thomas was arrested Feb. 23 and initially faced a first-degree criminal mistreatment charge over allegations that she failed to obtain timely medical care for her daughter after the birth.
The murder charge was added Aug. 20 while Thomas remained in custody.
A spokesperson for the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation continued for several months and that prosecutors conducted a careful review of the evidence before filing the additional charge. Court records show Thomas has entered a not-guilty plea.
Her bail was initially set at $100,000 but was later increased to $500,000. She remains in the Pierce County Jail.
A judge has also prohibited Thomas from contacting her daughter while the case is pending.
Case remains pending
Neither the 14-year-old girl nor the family’s landlord has been charged in connection with the newborn’s death.
Thomas could face a life sentence and significant financial penalties if convicted of the murder charge. Those consequences would depend on the final charges, proceedings and outcome of the case.
Her next scheduled court appearance is Oct. 1.
The allegations against Thomas remain unresolved in court, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
