In November 2024, Shamika Mitchell, 38, faced conviction for unlawful desertion of a child and aggravated child abuse, as reported by the State’s Attorney for Florida’s 7th Circuit.
On Thursday, January 30, Mitchell received a sentence of 15 years in prison followed by an additional 15 years of probation, according to a statement from the State’s Attorney.
Rachel Brothers, the Assistant Public Defender, requested a minimal prison sentence, citing Mitchell’s lack of a criminal record, according to reports.
She additionally requested that Mitchell follow a treatment plan, noting that the mother was experiencing a psychotic episode when she abandoned her son in the waves, according to reports from the News-Journal.
According to WESH, when her teenage son dialed 911, he mentioned that his mother had been experiencing “episodes lately.”
On November 8, 2023, Mitchell was in Daytona Beach with her children when the incident occurred.
A woman traveled with her children, ranging from 1 to 17 years old, in a rented minivan. According to police, a guard at a nearby Greek church permitted her and the children to stay overnight in the vehicle.
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According to the State’s Attorney, video footage captured Mitchell descending a beach access staircase while carrying the toddler shortly before midnight.
Shortly after, Mitchell departed from the beach, leaving the child behind.
In the early hours, a woman noticed a child in the water, “on his hands and knees, hands buried in the sand up to his wrists and waves were crashing over his head,” she reported to Daytona Beach Police, according to the State’s Attorney.
Upon arrival, officers found the toddler unresponsive, exhibiting a rapid pulse and shallow breathing.
He was moved to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, where he received treatment. He bounced back from the incident.
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Prior to the discovery of the child in the waves, authorities interrogated Mitchell regarding his location. According to the State’s Attorney, she informed them that she had left him in the care of his father. However, when the officers reached out to the toddler’s father, they discovered he was in Detroit.
Mitchell is set to receive acknowledgment for 449 days of time served. She was confronted with a potential sentence of up to 35 years behind bars.
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