NORFOLK, Va. — A mother and father accused of abusing and murdering their newborn child faced a Norfolk judge Thursday morning. Attorneys for both parents requested competency and sanity evaluations.
Z'ibreyea Parker and the baby's father, Hilary Johnson II, both face second-degree murder and child abuse charges after Norfolk police found the baby unresponsive with serious injuries at The Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. Both lawyers requested separate doctors for the evaluations.
A Norfolk judge told the mother and father that doctors would see them at the jail and ask them questions to see if they were able to understand the court process.
Parker and Johnson are charged in the death of their 9-day-old baby daughter. Court documents say they brought the infant to CHKD back in May. The child was cold to touch when she arrived at the hospital.
Authorities say the child showed signs of abuse with cuts, burns, and bruises on her body. Parker allegedly didn't think the injuries appeared to be serious and tried treating the child's injuries with home remedies like witch hazel.
At a May court hearing, a Norfolk judge denied bond for the mother. Prosecutors say CHKD medical staff reported the couple did not appear to be worried or upset.
The couple remains in custody at the Norfolk City Jail. The parents are expected to return to court on October 23. The judge said the competency reports will be due October 16.