A Maryland mother is facing serious charges after the tragic death of her baby daughter. Authorities have identified the woman as 32-year-old Maya Marie-Iman Dennis, who is now charged with first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse.
The heartbreaking case involves Dennis’s five-and-a-half-month-old daughter, whose name has not been released. The investigation began on December 29, when Child Protective Services contacted the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. The call came after the baby was taken to Johns Hopkins Pediatric Trauma Center in Baltimore, where doctors discovered devastating injuries.
According to medical staff, the infant had multiple skull fractures, brain bleeds, a broken leg, and other critical injuries. Concerned that these injuries might be due to abuse, child welfare workers alerted the authorities.
Detectives immediately started looking into what happened and got a warrant to search Dennis’s home on Mayberry Drive in Aberdeen, a small city about 30 miles from Baltimore. However, early on, investigators encountered conflicting stories from witnesses and people involved, making it hard to piece together how the baby had been hurt.
As the investigation moved forward, the evidence pointed to one person: Dennis herself. Authorities believe she was the only adult caring for the baby when the injuries likely occurred. However, they have not shared exactly when the injuries happened or provided any details about a motive.
While detectives continued their work, the situation took a devastating turn. The baby girl passed away from her injuries, making the case even more tragic. Authorities say that during the investigation, Dennis made statements admitting responsibility for the fatal injuries.
She was arrested on New Year’s Eve at Johns Hopkins Pediatric Trauma Center, the same hospital where her daughter had been treated. The arrest reportedly happened without any issues.
Dennis is now being held at the Harford County Detention Center. She is set to appear in court for a bail review on January 2, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 30.
This heartbreaking case is still under investigation as authorities work to uncover all the details behind this tragedy.
