La Plata, MD – Romechia Marie Simms, 25 of Waldorf, who is facing manslaughter and child abuse neglect charges after her 3-year-old son was found dead in a park swing at Wills Park in La Plata back in May 2015, has been released on $60,000 bond after a hearing before Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West Tuesday, Dec. 1.
The defendant, diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, was found pushing Ji’Aire Lee, in a swing at the La Plata park.
Investigators determined Simms had been there for 40 hours and that the child suffered from hypothermia and dehydration.
It rained heavily during that time frame, investigators recalled.
Police determined the child had been dead for so long they had to cut the swing to remove his body from the playground.
Published reports indicate Simms was hospitalized at least two instances before the boy was found dead in the swing when his mother was hospitalized for mental breakdowns.
James “Donnell” Lee, the boy’s father, had sought custody in D.C. Superior Court prior to the incident, questioning the mental stability of the mother.
He agreed to share custody with Simms–caring for Ji’Aire on weekends–at a May 11 hearing in Washington, D.C. District Court.
Simms is scheduled to be back in court for a motions hearing Dec. 18.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com