WTVD
The man charged in his 3-year-old daughter's death (see story below) is now facing several child sex abuse allegations.
Jamarkus Meshawn Smith was arrested Wednesday after his daughter was found unresponsive due to injuries she suffered at the hands of her father, police said. Smith's wife, a Fort Bragg soldier, was also arrested.
Octavia Bennett-Smith, 27, faces felony child abuse charges tied to her daughter's death earlier this week.
Friday, Fayetteville police obtained additional warrants to charge Jamarkus Smith with two counts of first-degree statutory sex offense and two counts of indecent liberties with a child. His bond was increased to $3,000,000. He remains in the Cumberland County Detention Center.
The man charged in his 3-year-old daughter's death (see story below) is now facing several child sex abuse allegations.
Jamarkus Meshawn Smith was arrested Wednesday after his daughter was found unresponsive due to injuries she suffered at the hands of her father, police said. Smith's wife, a Fort Bragg soldier, was also arrested.
Octavia Bennett-Smith, 27, faces felony child abuse charges tied to her daughter's death earlier this week.
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| 26-year-old Jamarkus Meshawn Smith and 27-year-old Octavia Bennett-Smith (Fayetteville Police Department) |
Certainly, if these allegations are proven against Smith, drugs must have been involved. No semi-sane person could do such things to his own daughter, still a toddler, unless they were stoned.
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) (3 days ago) -- A Fort Bragg soldier has been arrested and charged in connection to her three year old daughter's death.
First child also died
Immediately following the girl's passing Tuesday, Bennett-Smith's husband JeMarkus Smith was arrested and charged with the same offense. Authorities said more charges are possible, and they're also re-opening the death investigation for the couple's first child, who passed away last year of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS.
On Dec. 1, Fayettevillle police said they responded to a report of an unresponsive toddler in the couple's Regency Drive apartment. While the cause of death has yet to be determined, the girl, referred to as "J.S." in court, died a short time later at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.
On Wednesday, prosecutors said Bennett-Smith was responsible for the child's busted lip and bruises to her inner thighs and back. While the allegations were read in court, Bennett-Smith shook her head and cried.
District court judge Tal Baggett originally told Bennett-Smith she faced Class E felony that could mean up to 88 months in prison. A prosecutor pointed out the offense as a Class D, which would increase the maximum sentence to 204 months.
Two women showed up to support Bennett-Smith. One of women identified herself as one of the soldier's superiors from her Fort Bragg unit. She declined to offer her name, but spoke highly of Bennett-Smith.
"She's an excellent soldier, and it's a shock and surprise," the woman said.
Both Bennett-Smith and Smith remain in the Cumberland County jail under a $1 million bond. They are scheduled to appear in court later this month.
Anyone having information concerning these incidents is asked to call Detective J. Littlejohn at (910) 818-3468 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477). Crimestoppers information can also be submitted by visiting http://www.fay-nccrimestoppers.org/send_a_tip.aspx and completing the anonymous online tip sheet or by text-a-tip on your mobile device by sending a message to 274637 (in the text box type "4Tip" followed by your message).
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