Mother Found Pushing Dead Child In Swing Not 'Criminally Responsible' For Death

LA PLATA, Md. (WJZ/AP) -- A Maryland woman who was found pushing her dead child in a swing in a La Plata park in May was not criminally resposible for the child's death, according to a report by a psychologist.

Romechia Simms, 25, was indicted in September on charges of manslaughter, first-degree child abuse and child neglect.

It's unclear how the report could affect the case of Simms and whether a judge will declare her not criminally responsible or reject the findings and move forward with the proceedings. Simms' trial was scheduled to begin Monday in Charles County.

Psychologist Teresa Grant of the Maryland Office of Forensic Services wrote that although Simms is competent to stand trial, her mental disorder caused her to "lack substantial capacity to appreciate the criminality of her conduct or to conform her behavior to meet the requirements of the law."

Simms put her 3-year-old son, Ji'Aire Donnell Lee, on the swing the morning of May 20 and he was found dead two days later. She was still pushing the swing.

Police were called to the scene for a welfare check for the mother and son around 7 a.m. on May 22 and officers could immediately tell the child was dead.

A medical examiner later ruled the boy died of dehydration and low body temperature.

Family members told police Simms suffered from mental illness.

The family had been living at the Deluxe Inn motelwith Simmis mother.

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