A Texas woman has been charged with capital murder after allegedly drowning her cousin’s 6-year-old daughter in a bathtub while babysitting in a Harris County home. Nakia N. Martin, 39, was arrested following the death of Klover Miyanee Symphonee Hawkins on September 8, 2023.
Authorities say Martin was watching Hawkins and two other children while their mother was out of state in Indiana. Court documents reveal that the victim’s mother became suspicious after one of her other children claimed Martin had attempted to “baptize” them.
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During a video call with Martin on the night of the incident, the mother reportedly saw all three children in the bathtub. Investigators later learned that one of the children witnessed Martin forcibly holding Hawkins underwater. The young girl struggled to breathe, but Martin allegedly refused to release her, told Daily Mail.
Martin then reportedly threatened one of the surviving children with “hell” if they told anyone about the incident. According to authorities, Martin also forced the other two children underwater and placed “blessing oil” on their necks as part of an apparent attempt to baptize them.
Following the drowning, Martin allegedly removed Hawkins from the bathtub, dressed her, and later told police, “I didn’t mean to kill this baby.” An autopsy confirmed that Hawkins died from drowning. After the tragic event, Martin reportedly fled the area and went into hiding.
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She was eventually located and arrested in Delaware County, Indiana, in December before being extradited back to Houston. Martin was formally charged with capital murder on December 6, nearly 15 months after the child’s death.
She remains in custody at the Harris County Jail, awaiting trial. The case has shocked the local community, with authorities describing the incident as a deeply disturbing act of violence. Prosecutors are expected to seek the maximum penalty under Texas law.
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