13 Year Old & Her Mother Charged In Stabbing Death Of Honor Student

Prosecutors say a mother was the accomplice in the stabbing of a 15-year-old honor student. De’kayla Dansberry was fatally stabbed Saturday outside the Parkway Gardens Housing complex in Chicago. A 13 year old girl is accused of the stabbing, while it was her 35 year old mother, Tamika Gaydenis, that gave her the knife. 

It’s unclear what lead to the stabbing, but witnesses say there was a dispute between the two girls that got physical. Witnesses say the young girl appeared remorseful after stabbing De’kayla. She was heard crying and saying “I killed her” while wiping blood from the knife. Police say De’kayla’s killer was later seen washing blood from the knife. That a witness heard her tearfully admit to the killing.” Witnesses say it was the young girl’s mother that provided her with the weapon. There is also video shot by bystanders that the judge warned not to be posted on social media. 

The 13 year old was arrested and charged with first degree murder. Her mother was charged with first degree murder and one felony count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

“She didn’t deserve to be murdered,” De’kayla’s mother, Sheila Dansberry, said in court. “She’s a good kid and her life was stolen from her.”

De’kayla was an honor roll student who excelled in track & field. She was prepping for an upcoming meet before her murder.