La Plata, MD – Romechia Marie Simms, 25 of Waldorf, facing first-degree child abuse resulting in death, manslaughter and neglect of a minor charges in the May 25 death of her 3-year-old son at Wills Park in La Plata, will face a jury trial before Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West Jan. 25.
Simms was in court before West Wednesday, Dec.30 for a status conference.
Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney Tiffany Campbell told the court that while attorneys received a mental evaluation for Simms from the Charles County Health Department, they need more time to review the document.
“We’re asking for another status date to review the information,” Campbell stated.
“Also, your honor, the dangerousness evaluation was not addressed,” she said.
Campbell asked the court to vacate the motions hearing set for Jan. 15 and Charles County Assistant Public Defenders Elizabeth Connell and Allison Heldreth told the court they were fine with that.
West reset the status conference for Jan. 22, three days before the trial, and Campbell asked that the health department move forward with the dangerousness evaluation.
The judge told Simms, “There is a lot going on in your case.
“I’m asking you to remember the conditions of your bond,” West told the defendant. Ms. Heldreth and Ms. Connell are your attorneys. You have to stay in touch with them.”
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com