Honk News (Orlando, FL) – A 34-year-old woman accused of instructing a 100-pound dog to assault a 9-year-old girl before fatally beating her claimed to police detectives that she was employing “scare tactics” to discipline the girl.
Tyshael Elise Martin faces serious charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse related to the tragic death of Jamaria Sessions. Officials made available footage of her questioning with detectives from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Martin firmly stated that she “didn’t cause her death.”
However, investigators gathered approximately 3,000 videos from both the interior and exterior of the residence that revealed an alternate narrative. The interrogation footage revealed the investigator outlining several of the accusations: Martin had Jamaria running in place. She collided with her from behind, leading to a trip and a fall over a bag of dog food, resulting in a sprained ankle.
“Were you telling the dog to bite her?” the detective asked. “Because that’s what it sounds like in the video. You’re holding on to the leash saying ‘I’m gonna let you get her. I’m gonna let you get her.’”
Authorities presented Martin with autopsy images, revealing that Jamaria’s body sustained numerous injuries, resulting in a 26-page autopsy report.
The detective proceeded to enumerate the various accusations leveled against her.
“Why am I being charged with premeditated murder?” Martin asked.
The detective responded: “Well, because some of the statements that you made while you were attacking Jamaria about killing her.”
Martin dismissed the allegations as mere “scare tactics.”
“Scare tactics was also premeditation,” the detective retorted.
Martin attributed Jamaria’s broken teeth to her tumble on the treadmill. She seemed to partially hold her boyfriend, Jamaria’s father LoJuan Sessions, responsible when police inquired about her “accountability” in the girl’s death. He faces charges of aggravated manslaughter in connection with a child’s death, despite not being present at home when Jamaria passed away.
“I just, I mean, when you say accountable, I feel like I probably could have done more to, you know, possibly prevent things from happening,” Martin said.
Earlier, it was noted that deputies arrived on the morning of June 17 at a residence located in the 16000 block of Harbar Oaks Drive in Montverde. Emergency responders discovered Jamaria unclothed, exhibiting numerous abrasions, small puncture wounds, burns, potential bite marks, and bruises across her body, all showing different stages of healing, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit.
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Martin mentioned that the family had plans to catch a flight that morning to California for their vacation. The affidavit reveals that she informed the authorities she attempted to rouse Jamaria, but found her unresponsive and cold to the touch.
Deputies focused on six videos that depict events they claim took place just before midnight on June 15. The footage reportedly depicts Jamaria enduring a brutal assault by the family dog, a 103lb male rottweiler. According to the affidavit, Martin was observed gripping the dog’s leash, seemingly urging the animal to attack Jamaria, who was positioned on the floor, just beyond the reach of the camera’s lens.
“The next clips show Jamaria Sessions staggering, nude and disheveled,” the affidavit says. “Jamaria’s hair, previously in a partial bun, was now messy, and her extensions were falling out of her hair. It appeared that the dog had bitten the child’s head, pulling at her hair, at the command of Tyshael Martin.”
Martin reportedly compels the girl to remain stationary with her arms raised above her head. Jamaria seemed confused and displayed an orbital sway, prompting Martin to kick her, according to the deputies’ report. The young girl collapsed to the ground, where authorities report that Martin struck her hip and stomach with full force.
Martin reportedly seized Jamaria “by her hair” and dragged her across the floor. According to the affidavit, Jamaria showed no signs of resistance and seemed to be in a state of confusion and immobility.
Deputies reported that Martin persisted in assaulting Jamaria and uttered a phrase resembling “I’m fixin’ to kill her.”
Investigators discovered that Martin employed physical exercises as a method of discipline, such as extended wall sits, running in place with arms raised, and using a treadmill, according to the affidavit. Martin reportedly engaged in violent behavior towards the girl, including kicking, punching, and pinching.
An autopsy revealed that the girl succumbed to blunt force trauma affecting her head, torso, and limbs, along with thermal injuries to her right foot. The cause of death has been determined to be a homicide, according to the medical examiner. In October, prosecutors revealed their intention to pursue the death penalty for Martin.