Maryland boy, 3, was placed in swing by mother for nearly two full days, died of dehydration and hypothermia: police

A 3-year-old boy was alive when his mother began pushing him on a swing in a Maryland park on May 20 and remained in the seat until two days later when authorities found the hysterical parent pushing his deceased corpse.

Ji'Aire Donnell Lee died of dehydration and hypothermia before he was finally found by police at Wills Memorial Park at 6:55 a.m. on May 22 about 43 and a half hours after he was first placed into the swing set, according to the Charles County Sheriff's Office in La Plata, Md.

The toddler's death was ruled a homicide by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, but no charges have been filed.

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Ji’Aire Lee died from dehydration and hypothermia, the Medical Examiner’s Office ruled.

The State Attorney's Office will review the case and decide if charges are warranted, a sheriff's office official told the Daily News.

Police said Romechia Simms arrived at the park with her son at 11:15 a.m. on May 20 — almost two full days before they were discovered. Ji'Aire was alive when he was placed in the swing and did not leave the seat until officers arrived.

There were no obvious signs of trauma on the child's body, police said.

Simms, 24, was hospitalized for four days after police found her at the disturbing scene. Her family said Simms suffers from depression and bipolar disorder. She had also endured a mental breakdown three months earlier, the family said.

Simms' mother said she suffered a psychotic episode and did not know what happened at the park.

At the boy's funeral on June 5Simms seemed composed and was seen holding hands with her son's father and singing "This Little Light of Mine."

"Son, the joy you brought to my life is unexplainable," she wrote in the program for the service. "I miss you so much Ji'Aire, way more than I could possibly express through words. I am slowly accepting your passing. I want you to know that I have always been extremely proud of you, and I love you until the end of time."

Source: nydailynews