NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A mother is suspected of fatally stabbing her young daughter early Tuesday morning in North Miami Beach, according to police.
A spokesperson for the North Miami Beach Police Department said officers arrived at the crime scene, located at an apartment complex at 1051 NE 163rd St., around 2 a.m., after the woman called police and admitted to stabbing and killing her 3-year-old daughter.
Police said they took the woman, later identified as 24-year-old Jellisa Amoya Baxter, into custody without incident.
On Wednesday, Local 10 News obtained audio of Baxter’s 911 call to authorities. In the recording, she calmly describes what happened.
(Listen to mother’s 911 call to police)
911: Did you call for the police?
Caller: Yes.
911: Ok. What is your name?
Caller: Jellisa.
911: Julissa?
Caller: Jellisa Baxter.
911: Jellisa, hi. Can you tell me what’s happening there?
Caller: Yes. I just killed my daughter.
911: How old is your daughter?
Caller: Three.
911: Is there anyone else in the house?
Caller: (Inaudible)
911: And how did you kill your daughter?
Caller: I tried strangling her. That didn’t work. So I stabbed her with a knife in the neck and chest.
According to an arrest report, police found Baxter, a Jamaican national, in the living room of her apartment wearing a white robe. The girl’s body was nearby.
Noon report:
The report states the girl had “several deep stab wounds to her chest, neck and face.”
According to police, officers located the murder weapon near the girl’s body.
Baxter’s older brother Jaimie spoke to Local 10 News’ Bridgette Matter by phone on Wednesday. He said she seemed “withdrawn” since the death of their mother in the fall, but never saw any warning signs of trouble.
“She never displayed aggressive behavior towards her baby,” he said.
A memorial put together by neighbors is building for the child at the apartment complex.
Police have not released the name of the victim and the arrest report doesn’t reveal a suspected motive.
Baxter faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. She was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
@myNMBPolice has confirmed the arrest of Jellisa Amoya Baxter for the murder of her 3 year old daughter. She has been charged with Murder in the First Degree and Aggravated Child Abuse. pic.twitter.com/2hqkze6qJy
— North Miami Beach PD (@myNMBPolice) December 27, 2022