Woman, who subjected her boyfriend’s 9-year-old daughter to extreme punishment and forced their dog to bite her head before she beat the child until she became motionless, faces death penalty
Florida – In a disturbing case in Florida, a 34-year-old woman, identified as T. Martin, is now facing severe legal repercussions, including the possibility of the death penalty, after being charged with the first-degree murder of her boyfriend’s 9-year-old daughter, identified as Jamaria. She faces charges of aggravated child abuse following a disturbing sequence of events that culminated in the young girl’s death. The victim’s 27-year-old father, identified as L. Sessions, has been charged with aggravated manslaughter for his role in his daughter’s death.
The murder has caused profound distress within the family, with Jamaria’s biological father, LoJuan Sessions, 27, also being charged with aggravated manslaughter for his role in his daughter’s death. Both parents are currently held without bond in the Lake County Jail.
On the morning of June 17, the sheriff’s deputies responded to a distressing scene at a residence. Upon arrival, paramedics found Jamaria in a critical condition, displaying numerous injuries that included abrasions, punctures, and marks across her body. These injuries were in various stages of healing, indicating prolonged abuse. Martin initially told authorities the family had plans to fly to California for a vacation that morning. She claimed to have discovered Jamaria unresponsive and cold to the touch when attempting to wake her for the trip.
The investigation took a pivotal turn when detectives secured access to nearly 3,000 video clips from cameras installed inside and outside the home. Six of these videos, recorded just before midnight on June 15, captured the horrific attacks that led to Jamaria’s death. In the footage, Martin is seen controlling a 103-pound male Rottweiler, encouraging the dog to bite the defenseless child’s head. Jamaria is visible struggling on the floor, trying to fend off the vicious assaults both from the dog and Martin herself.
Further video clips show an increasingly disoriented Jamaria, with her hair in disarray from the dog’s bites. Martin is observed forcing Jamaria to stand with her arms raised, disoriented to the point of being unable to maintain balance. This leads to Martin kicking the girl repeatedly, causing her to collapse in agony. The assault escalates with Martin dragging Jamaria by her hair across the floor.
The violence captured on camera was not just physical but also psychological, as Martin was heard threatening the life of the child. Additional abusive methods included forcing Jamaria to perform exhaustive exercises as punishment and subjecting her to further physical abuse.
An autopsy later revealed that Jamaria succumbed to blunt force trauma to her head, torso, and extremities, along with thermal injuries to her foot, leading the medical examiner to rule her death a homicide. Following the autopsy results, Martin was arrested. Martin and Sessions are currently being held without bond in jail.
The State Attorney’s Office filed a motion declaring their intent to seek the death penalty. Under Florida law, to impose capital punishment for murder, prosecutors must prove at least one aggravating factor beyond a reasonable doubt. In Martin’s case, they assert that five aggravating circumstances apply:
- Commission During Aggravated Child Abuse: The murder occurred while the defendant was engaged in aggravated child abuse.
- Especially Heinous, Atrocious, or Cruel: The nature of the crime was exceptionally brutal.
- Cold, Calculated, and Premeditated: The homicide was committed with premeditation and without any moral or legal justification.
- Victim Under 12 Years of Age: Jamaria was less than 12 years old at the time of her death.
- Position of Authority: The victim was particularly vulnerable because Martin held a familial or custodial role over her.
