A jury indicted a Pensacola, Florida, woman for first-degree felony murder for allegedly sitting on her 9-year-old cousin until she died.
The Pensacola News Journal reported that Veronica Green Posey, 64, was indicted Tuesday in connection with the death of Dericka Lindsay. Authorities believe Posey was punishing the girl for “acting out” toward her adoptive parents, Grace Joan Smith, 69, and James Edmund Smith, 62, on October 14.
Witnesses reportedly claimed that the 9-year-old had a hammer and a knife at the time. The child allegedly told Posey, who weighs 325 pounds, and her adoptive parents, that she couldn’t breathe amid the unthinkable punishment, according to NorthEscambia.com.
The affidavit stated that Posey told the child to “quit faking” as she lost consciousness.
ORIGINAL Story: Little girl, 9, dies after 325-pound cousin SITS on her as punishment: Report
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Posey allegedly got off of Dericka and begun performing CPR but she was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Previous reports indicated that Grace and James were jailed on $75,000 and $50,000 bond, respectively. It’s unclear whether they’re currently in custody.
The News Journal noted that Posey is facing felony murder charges because Dericka’s death occurred as she allegedly committed another crime, in this case, aggravated child abuse.
Originally released on bond, Judge Jan Shackelford ordered Posey to be taken into custody and be held without bond following Tuesday’s indictment.
The 64-year-old faces life in prison if convicted.
[Featured Image: Escambia County Jail]
