Mississippi Woman Convicted And Sentenced To Life Without Parole In Death Of 14-Month-Old Stepdaughter

A Claiborne County, Mississippi woman, has been convicted of the death of her 14-month-old stepdaughter.

According to WAPT News, T’Kia Bevily was sentenced on Thursday to life without the possibility of parole.

Claiborne County District Attorney Daniella Shorter said because prosecutors did not seek the death penalty, life without the chance of parole was the only sentence that could be given when it involves a Capital Murder case before a circuit court judge.

14-month-old Jurayah Smith died in October of 2017.

During the five-day trial, evidence showed that the child suffered multiple “blunt-force trauma” injuries to her head, which was the cause of her death.

Shorter said the injuries occurred while the child was in the sole custody of T’Kia and the child’s father, Morris Bevily. His trial has been delayed to an unknown date.

DeDreuna Smith, the child’s mother, released a statement after the verdict was announced:

“I’d like to thank God, along with the District Attorney & the state of Mississippi for pursuing Justice on behalf of my 14-month-old daughter. Knowing that the person responsible for the homicide of my precious Jurayah is being held accountable for their actions brings a feeling of relief over my whole family. Receiving this guilty verdict is only the start of the healing process for my family, our friends, loved ones & myself. We’re grateful for the outcome and we’re hopeful for the peaceful closure that this process has brought.”