Issue 52, January 17, 2024

Phoenix Woman Faces Murder Charge After Leaving Infants Over 37 Hours, Woman charged with second-degree murder for shooting boyfriend with shotgun

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

What is the most frequently mentioned drug in cases of infant deaths?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

What’s Happening Now

Phoenix Woman Faces Murder and Child Abuse Charges for Leaving Infants Alone for 37 Hours, Leading to Tragic Death from Medication Overdose

A Phoenix woman, 24-year-old Sara Lashae Harris, has been arrested on charges of second-degree murder and child abuse after her infant and 17-month-old toddler were left alone for over a day in July.

The one-month-old infant was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene.

Harris initially claimed that the baby had been fussy and she had given them food and medication before they fell asleep.

However, security camera footage revealed inconsistencies in her story.

Investigators discovered evidence of the children being left alone for 37 hours, during which Harris admitted to taking drugs and alcohol.

The cause of the infant's death was determined to be chlorpheniramine intoxication (commonly used in allergy or cold medication).

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Woman charged with second-degree murder and use of a weapon in death of boyfriend after allegedly shooting him with a shotgun while under the influence of drugs.

An Omaha woman, Alyssa Roman, has been charged with second-degree murder and use of a weapon in the death of her boyfriend, Alan Crister.

Witnesses reported that Roman forced her way into a home in northwest Omaha in December while only wearing a shirt.

Prosecutors allege that she used a shotgun to shoot Crister, causing severe injuries to his torso and neck.

Roman was found to be under the influence of drugs when she fled the scene of the crime partially clothed.

She is currently being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on February 14th.

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🔏 Safety Tip of the Day: To enhance door security and deter trespassers:

Enhance door security by using deadbolt locks, choosing high-quality options with anti-pick features, reinforcing door frames, and installing a peephole for visitor verification. Secure sliding doors and windows, consider smart locks for added convenience, and keep spare keys with trusted individuals.

Cold Case Highlights

UPDATE: Bronx Man Sentenced to Prison for Smothering Newborn Son

A 31-year-old man from the Bronx, Teshawn Watkins, has been sentenced to five to ten years in prison for smothering his newborn son with a pillow.

The death occurred when the baby, Kaseem Watkins, kept crying and Watkins became frustrated.

Watkins pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and also entered a plea for third-degree assault for punching the child's mother during her pregnancy.

The woman, however, refused to testify against Watkins.

Initially, Watkins faced numerous charges, including murder, manslaughter, and assault, but these were reduced through the plea agreement.

The incident took place in January 2020 when Watkins placed pillows on the baby, blocking his nose and mouth.

The child was pronounced dead at the hospital, and the autopsy confirmed the cause of death as asphyxia due to smothering.

Watkins had put pillows on the baby's head on at least one other occasion.

UPDATE: Christopher Lovrien pleads guilty to first-degree manslaughter, expressing remorse for a bloody bedroom killing that had haunted him for over twenty years.

Christopher Lovrien, a 56-year-old man, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the Multnomah County Circuit Courthouse.

He expressed remorse for the bloody bedroom killing that had haunted him for over twenty years, admitting that it had significantly impacted his personal life.

Lovrien, formerly a steelworker, shared that he had been unable to form any relationships since the incident and solely focused on his work.

Although he wished he could reverse his actions, he found some solace in accepting responsibility and facing imprisonment.

🔍^{Trivia Answer}
Methamphetamine

In a 2021 CDC report, the top mentions were methamphetamine (98), followed by cocaine (49), opioids (38), and opioid treatment drugs, as well as cannabis or cannabinoids (18 each)