Harmoni Henderson was “so full of life” her mother wrote
A nonverbal 3-year-old girl died after being scalded with hot water and slammed into the side of a tub after throwing up on herself — and now the babysitter who did it to her has been sentenced to prison.
On May 29, Iesha Harris, 31, of Southfield, Mich., was sentenced to 28 to 50 years in prison for the beating death of Harmoni Henderson, The Oakland Press reports.
Harris was a friend of the child’s mother and was babysitting Harmoni at a home in Detroit at the time of her death, Prosecutor Kim Worthy said in a news release in March 2024.
Arrested on March 20, 2024, Harris pleaded not guilty to felony murder and first-degree child abuse, which is punishable by up to life in prison.
In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Harris promised to plead guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a lesser sentence, according to The Oakland Press.
The deadly incident took place on March 17, 2024, when Harris was babysitting Harmoni, authorities said, ClickonDetroit reports.
Harris left Harmoni and her own child in a bedroom for several hours while she smoked marijuana, authorities said, ClickonDetroit reports.
During that time, Harmoni threw up on herself, which apparently enraged Harris, according to authorities.
“Ms. Harris allegedly admitted to police she poured scalding water on top of the 3-year-old and slammed her head against the side of the bathtub,” Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Douglas said in March 2024, when Harris was denied bond.
Being slammed into the side of the tub is what ultimately killed Harmoni, authorities said, Local12 reports.
Harmoni’s mother, Paris England, was friends with Harris and trusted her “wholeheartedly,” she told ClickonDetroit.
England believes Harris became overwhelmed while caring for two young children.
England told the outlet Harmoni had autism and was non-verbal. “I think she got frustrated with her and her own daughter and she slammed my baby’s head against the tub,” she said.
Capt. Laurie Carter of the Detroit Police Special Victims Unit said she can never forget the details of how Harmoni was killed.
“I was very disturbed,” Carter said, ClickonDetroit reports. “Nothing like this should ever happen to a child.”
In a GoFundMe set up by Harmoni’s mother, England wrote, “Harmoni was so full of life. Love and laughter. Biggest smile u will ever see.. any and everything will be accepted. Thank you #harmoni #forever3”
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.