Florida law enforcement officials have apprehended a 34-year-old woman, Tyshael Elise Martin, in connection with the death of her boyfriend’s 9-year-old daughter, Jamaria Sessions. Martin is facing charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The arrest followed a distress call on the morning of June 17, leading deputies to a residence in Montverde, where they discovered the lifeless body of the young girl.
Upon arrival, paramedics found Jamaria in a state of undress, her body covered in a variety of injuries including abrasions, punctures, burns, potential bite marks, and bruises, all in different stages of healing, as per the arrest affidavit. The family had plans to travel to California that morning for a vacation, Martin told the police. She claimed to have found Jamaria unresponsive and cold when she attempted to wake her.
Investigators procured nearly 3,000 videos from within and around the residence. Six videos, recorded shortly before midnight on June 15, were of particular interest to the deputies. These videos allegedly depicted Jamaria being brutally attacked by the family’s 103-pound male rottweiler, with Martin seemingly encouraging the dog to bite the child.
The subsequent video clips showed a disoriented Jamaria, her hair disheveled and extensions falling out, suggesting that the dog had bitten her head at Martin’s command. Martin is then allegedly seen forcing Jamaria to stand with her arms raised, kicking her when she swayed, causing her to fall. The child lay motionless, moaning in pain, as Martin continued to kick her, eventually dragging her by her hair across the floor.
Deputies reported that Martin continued to assault Jamaria, uttering words that sounded like a threat to kill her. The investigation also revealed that Martin used physical exercises as a form of punishment, including prolonged wall sits, running in place with her hands up, and running on a treadmill. She also allegedly physically abused the child.
An autopsy conducted on Tuesday concluded that Jamaria died from blunt force injuries to her head, torso, and extremities, and a thermal injury to her right foot. The death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner. Martin was arrested on Wednesday and is currently being held without bond at the Lake County Jail. She made her first court appearance on Thursday.