NORFOLK, Va. - New details about a deadly child abuse case in Norfolk. On Wednesday, a judge decided there was enough evidence for the case to go forward. A Grand Jury also met and increased the charges.
Police arrested Heaven Smith and Corey Bryant in April after their 10-month-old daughter Miracle died from malnutrition. Her twin sister Heaven was released from the hospital May 9th.
In addition to the original charges, both parents are now facing Second Degree Murder and two counts of Child Neglect. Heaven Smith is also facing First Degree Murder and one count of Aggravated Malicious Wounding.
On April 8th, police responded to their home on Monitor Way. Baby Miracle was rushed to DePaul hospital in Norfolk, but died about two hours later.
At Wednesday's preliminary hearing, Heaven Smith sat hunched over for most of it, at times shaking and crying, as witness after witness testified about her twins.
Detective Vic Powell described the conditions inside the home when officers arrived, saying the thermostat was below 55 degrees, there were 172 soiled diapers piled up next to the crib and partially eaten baby food jars with mold. He said, in the refrigerator, there was "plenty of adult food".
Assistant Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Wendy Gunther said Miracle's cause of death was "Medical and Nutritional Neglect".
Dr. Gunther described Miracle's skin as "hanging and wrinkled from severe dehydration, her body covered in a rash and insect bites on her chin," and added baby Miracle, "had no abdominal fat, but her belly was distended because it was filled with hardened feces." She said Miracle's tongue was covered in dots of blood, perhaps from sucking on her own palette in the absence of food.
She testified it would have taken weeks or months for a baby to get this malnourished. In the case of a baby born prematurely, like Miracle, days to weeks.
Captain Martin Marsala testified Heaven Smith told him the twins were with a babysitter for the previous three weeks, while her husband Corey Bryant was deployed, but despite an exhaustive search, police could not locate the babysitter Smith said she found on Craigslist. The last known babysitter they could locate cared for the children in November of 2007.
Detective Powell testified Bryant told him he called home from his deployment every day and his wife told him the babies were losing weight. Bryant said he told Smith to take the babies to a doctor, but she said she was afraid the babies would be taken away. Detective Powell testified Bryant said he figured he'd deal with it when he got home.
Detective Powell also testified Heaven Smith never showed any emotion, until she found out she was being charged with murder.
Corey Bryant's mother is now caring for Heaven.
A trial date has not been set.
Previous Coverage from April
Two parents, both in the Navy, and one is facing a murder charge in the death of one their infant twin daughters.
21-year-old Heaven Smith is behind bars for the death of Miracle Bryant. She's now facing Felony Child Neglect for Miracle and for the baby's sister Heaven Bryant.
Their father, 21-year-old Corey Bryant is facing two counts of Felony Child Neglect.
Both parents faced a Norfolk judge Wednesday morning. They were arrested Tuesday after Miracle died at a local hospital.
Police say the girl apparently died from malnutrition.
A neighbor who lives near the parents residence of Monitor Way says she saw first responders Tuesday and wondered what was going on. She says if the allegations are true it's a shame.
Meghan Adam tells WAVY.com, "It's horrible to think that people would take their strife out on their children and it's not the children's fault."
Both parents remain held without bond at the Norfolk jail.
A Navy spokesman says the parents did not ask for any specialized fleet support. Heaven Smith is a ships serviceman seaman at Naval Support Activity Norfolk and is assigned to the Naval Amphibious Base.
Corey Bryant is an operations specialist seaman aboard the USS Monterrey.
A preliminary hearing is set for May 21.
Previous Coverage:
Mother charged with Murder, father with Neglect after 10-month-old dies from malnourishment
NORFOLK, VA. (WAVY.com) -- The mother of a 10-month old infant has been charged with Murder after one of her twin daughters died at DePaul Hospital Tuesday morning. The victim's sister is listed in critical condition.
A police department spokesperson told WAVY.com that the infants were suffering from malnourishment.
The mother, identified as 21-year-old Heaven Kristina Smith, has also been charged with two counts of Felony Child Neglect. The twins' father, identified as 21-year-old Corey Alan Bryant, also faces these two charges.
According to the Commonwealth's Attorney's office, the parents were arraigned Wednesday morning. They both plan to retain defense attorney's and are being held without bond.
Police in Norfolk issued the following news release describing the circumstances and identifying the
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