Death penalty handed down for murder of 7-pound 7-year-old – NBC 6 South Florida

A Fort Lauderdale mother charged with murder in the starvation death of her 7-year-old son, who weighed just seven pounds when he was pronounced dead on Christmas Day, was back in court Thursday along with some of the other five people charged Death of the boy.

Michelle Doe was arrested last month on charges including first-degree murder, aggravated involuntary manslaughter of a child, aggravated child abuse and two counts of neglect of a child in connection with the death of her son Deonte Atwell.

In court Thursday, prosecutors announced they would forego the death penalty against Doe and the others charged with murder in his death.

Broward prosecutors said Atwell was diagnosed with thoracic spina bifida and hydrocephalus, had a breathing tube and feeding tube and required around-the-clock skilled nursing care.

However, authorities said family members and two home health workers apparently stopped providing him with services, leading to severe abuse and eventual death.

Police said Atwell may have suffered for months before he was found and pronounced dead on December 25, 2023. Atwell had turned seven just two days earlier, on December 23, although prosecutors said it appeared he had been dead “for a long time.”

Prosecutors said Atwell starved for extended periods, was terribly malnourished and neglected and weighed just seven pounds when he died, with bones poking through his skin.

Several family members and home health aides have been arrested in connection with the murder of a seven-year-old child who was found horribly malnourished on Christmas Day in Fort Lauderdale last year.

Four other people were arrested in Atwell's death, including his brother, 21-year-old Tyreck Irvin, and his grandfather, 70-year-old James Graham.

Irvin is also charged with first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter of a child, aggravated child abuse and two counts of child neglect, while Graham is charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, neglect of a child and failure to report child abuse.

The home health provider's owner, 47-year-old Mirlande Moltimer Ameda, is charged with third-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter of a child, Medicaid fraud and neglect of a child.

The nurse caring for Atwell, 33-year-old Cassandre Lassegue, is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated involuntary manslaughter of a child, aggravated third-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and Medicaid fraud.

Doe pleaded not guilty in the case. All five suspects are due back in court in December.