AIKEN, S.C. (TCN) — The parents of a 4-year-old girl are behind bars and are being held without bond in connection with her death and the destruction of her remains, which authorities allege were dissolved with chemicals and disposed of in a reservoir.
The Post and Courier reports that Jeveayah Harris most likely died sometime between May 1 and June 15, according to warrants. Documentation alleges that Jeveayah Harris’ mother, Michilae Herring, caused her death, and that neither parent sought medical attention for her. A few weeks later, Herring allegedly made a false police report in which she said that Harris disappeared when she was in the backyard playing near the family’s chicken coop.
Herring reportedly gave birth to a baby the night she allegedly made the false police report, according to the Post and Courier.
Multiple agencies, including the FBI, were involved in the search for Harris, but on July 4, Aiken County Sheriff Marty Sawyer announced they believed Harris was dead and had been for at least a month.
Herring and the child’s father, Johmarea Harris, were arrested and charged with homicide by child abuse, and Herring was also charged with making a false police report.
At a press conference on July 9, Sawyer announced that parts of Jeveayah Harris’ body had been found and confirmed to be hers via familial DNA testing, according to WRDW. Sawyer said, “Extensive and deliberate efforts were made to destroy and conceal evidence following Javeayah’s death.”
WRDW reports that according to Sawyer, Herring and Johmarea Harris allegedly used corrosive chemicals and other tools to dissolve the child’s body on June 8; they then allegedly poured the remains into Cedar Creek Reservoir. Sawyer said, “In my 37 years in law enforcement, I have never, ever heard of anything so horrific.”
Both Herring and Johmarea Harris are considered flight risks and are being held without bond, per WRDW. Both face 20 years to life in prison for the child abuse by homicide charges and Herring faces an additional five years in prison for the false reporting charge, if convicted, per WBTV.
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