Pearl, Mississippi, police couldn't believe it when they received word of a local mother abusing her child out in the open as horrified onlookers tried to get help.
Makaylia Shaylynn Jolley was the mother of two, a 2-year-old and a 9-week-old. Multiple 911 callers indicated that they spotted the woman standing near the road near her home. They watched in horror as she "repeatedly and forcibly" threw her infant child into the road, according to authorities.
First responders were quickly on the scene and found another woman holding and tending to the infant after Jolley fled into nearby woods. The baby girl, Khalysie Lashay Jolley, received medical attention on the scene but ultimately died of her injuries.
Authorities were able to track down Jolley and arrest her.
"The act was very deliberate and intentional," Pearl Police Chief Dean Scott told local news station WAPT.
"She showed no remorse throughout the day."
Officers in the area reportedly were familiar with Jolley due to narcotics abuse. Despite this, neighbors are shocked by this turn of events.
"I don't understand. Something had to go wrong," one neighbor said.
"Postpartum, or something. Because she really is a very good mother. I don't understand what happened."
A GoFundMe page has been established by the child's great-grandmother, who also reportedly has custody of Jolley's older child, to help pay for funeral services for baby Khalysie. Jolley remains in custody facing capital murder and felony child abuse charges.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
