NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- A judge denied bond for the woman accused of killing her 11-year-old daughter in Norfolk.
33-year-old Latoya Smith claims her fiancé, Demont Harris, was the person primarily responsible for her daughter Heaven's death. Smith was the person who called 911 in the early morning hours of May 18, but prosecutors claim she failed to act not only in this case, but multiple times before that.
The medical examiner determined Heaven died from blunt force trauma to the head and torso.
During Friday morning's court hearing, we learned Heaven had a brain hemorrhage, blackened eyes, multiple rib fractures, and her abdomen was split open. We also found out she had been given a diet of bread and water as punishment.
Prosecutors say there were other occasions when Smith did nothing to help her daughter.
Both Smith and Harris face second-degree murder charges.
On Friday evening, a memorial will be held to remember the young victim. A candlelight vigil is planned at 135 West Balview Avenue at 7:30 p.m., where Heaven lived.
In court Friday the prosecution said Smith punished Heaven by placing her hand in boiling water. The burn mark that put Heaven in the hospital for 6 days, and left her needing a skin graft. The alleged punishment, abuse was just three months ago.
Heaven's aunt, Sheronda Orridge, had custody of Heaven for nearly a year in Minnesota.
"Laytoya was not fit to take care of Heaven. I knew Heaven would not survive," said Orridge. "We knew that they were not doing well, and child protection continued to get called but nothing happened because they dropped her case."
Between January 2015 and May 2016, there were sixteen 911 calls made to Smith's home in Minnesota.
"Her brother had molested her, and she was not being taken care of. Heaven had not been to the doctor in a year and a half, and had never been to the dentist,” said Orridge.
Orridge just wishes child services had left Heaven in her custody in Minnesota.
"Heaven was so lovable. So many people are so upset because Heaven can meet you one time, and you'll remember Heaven forever,” said Orridge.
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