“In 2003, Kansas City police responded to a call about Brown walking dangerously close to traffic near Interstate 470 and Blue Ridge Boulevard with a child, according to police records.
“She appeared to be high on drugs, and at one point, police were worried she was going to throw the child into traffic, according to the records.
“Police were eventually able to restrain her but with a struggle, and the officer came close to using deadly force when she became combative, according to the records…
“The boy’s father said he had been trying to gain custody of his children but that he could not afford an attorney.”
The Child Is Dead, but at Least Dad Didn’t Get Custody…From Police: Mom Sat On, Killed Son (KCTV5.com, 2/9/09):
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City woman was charged with second-degree murder in the death of her 7-year-old son, who appears to have died of suffocation.
Police spokesman Darin Snapp said Esmond Ross died Saturday at his home. Snapp said the boy showed no signs of life when officers were called to the home.
The child’s mother, 28-year-old Lakeesha Brown, told detectives she believes she suffocated her son by putting her legs across his head and sitting on his chest.
Police said Brown had no explanation for why she sat on her son.
A body exam revealed that Esmond’s right arm was broken in three places, and he showed signs of being suffocated.
Edwin I. Ross, the boy’s father, said his 10-year-old daughter called him from Brown’s house, distraught. He rushed to the house in the 3700 block of Prospect Avenue. He said Brown was sitting on the boy when he arrived, and he said it was clear the boy had been dead for hours.
The boy’s father said he had been trying to gain custody of his children but that he could not afford an attorney.
In 2003, Kansas City police responded to a call about Brown walking dangerously close to traffic near Interstate 470 and Blue Ridge Boulevard with a child, according to police records.
She appeared to be high on drugs, and at one point, police were worried she was going to throw the child into traffic, according to the records.
Police were eventually able to restrain her but with a struggle, and the officer came close to using deadly force when she became combative, according to the records.
Brown remained in custody on Monday. She also was charged with abuse of a child resulting in death and endangering the welfare of a child.
Thanks to Chris, a reader, for the story.