UPDATE: USVI woman who allegedly drowned her daughter arrested
![The [US] Virgin Islands Police Department has reported what it described as](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_a_Ambulance-Aerial.jpg)
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI— As he wrapped up his remarks during Monday’s Government House press briefing, US Virgin Islands (USVI) Governor Albert A, Bryan Jr disclosed a key piece of information in the recent death of a 9-year old girl.
“This weekend, we had another tragic incident on the island of St Thomas, where a mother attempted to take her life and the life of her nine-year-old,” said the governor. “Unfortunately, she was successful in taking the life of her nine-year-old.”
The circumstances of the girl’s death at the hands of her mother had not previously been disclosed by authorities. The VIPD’s initial press release issued late Saturday stated only the fact that she had died in a suspected drowning, but called the death “suspicious.” While the case had not yet been classified a homicide, investigators were treating it as such, given initial suspicions that the girl may have drowned in waters somewhere on the St. Thomas waterfront before her body was moved to the area of Vitraco Mall. A person of interest, police say, had been identified.
Following the governor's remarks, the VIPD issued a release announcing the arrest of the child's mother, identified as 32-year-old Anyah Smith, who the VIPD revealed has been charged with first-degree murder and associated charges linked to the death of her daughter.
Sources told the Consortium that hours before to the child’s death Saturday morning, a disturbance had occurred at the residence of the child’s mother. The woman was reportedly seen throwing items outside the house before leaving with the child.
Governor Bryan characterised the incident as another example of the fragile mental health of some [US] Virgin Islanders, and used the issue to remind residents that “we have to pay attention to one another and be our brother’s keeper.” He said that classmates of the deceased youngster at the Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School were receiving support as they try to cope with the sudden loss.
See related article published March 17, 2024
USVI police probing suspected drowning of 9-year-old girl
The [US] Virgin Islands Police Department has reported what it described as "a suspicious death" of a 9-year-old girl in St Thomas, who was pronounced dead early Saturday morning, March 16, 2024, in the area of Vitraco Mall.
The VIPD said officers arrived at the scene at 5:22 AM after receiving a call. Despite CPR efforts from emergency medical technicians, the child was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police Commissioner Ray Martinez told the Consortium Saturday night that though an autopsy will provide the official cause of death, the department has declared the incident "a suspicious death" by suspected drowning. "This was a suspicious death that the VIPD is investigating as what appeared to be drowning," the commissioner said. "We cannot outright declare it a drowning yet because only the autopsy can confirm it."
Part of the mystery of the case is that while investigators believe the child may have drowned in waters somewhere on the St Thomas waterfront, she was found in the area of the Vitraco Mall. Once on the scene, emergency medical technicians performed CPR; however, they found no vital signs.
Sources informed the Consortium that prior to the child's death, a disturbance occurred at her mother's residence around 4:00 a.m., during which the child's mother was reportedly throwing items outside the house before leaving with the child.
The commissioner said that on Saturday, several interviews were conducted and a person of interest was identified. The VIPD's release states that while the case hasn't been classified as a homicide, "it is being investigated as such."
The department has appealed to the community to come forward with information about the incident. Persons are urged to call 911, Major Crime at (340)642-8449, Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1(800)222-8477(TIPS), or online here.
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12 Responses to “UPDATE: USVI woman who allegedly drowned her daughter arrested”
Checking on your family and friends is so important daily. If we can run our mouth daily being mischievous and being slanderous take that energy and place it on people for their good.
Life is real and death is real don't go crying over people when in truth you didn't care how they live. Shame on all of us who see self and greed only.
This is utterly inconceivable, but with mental illness, you never know.
I have a 9 year old daughter and she trusts me to protect her, soo obedient, hangs on to my every word.
I cried as I read the article and still crying as I type this comment.
I absolutely refuse to think of this little angel’s final moments when she realized that her mommy whom she trusted was doing her such harm.
May she rest in eternal peace ????????????
miss you