With twinkling dark eyes and a smile that could melt the sun, 3-year-old Ji’Aire Donnell Lee’s death was a mystery that went unanswered for over a month. On May 22, police responded to a call advising a mother was pushing her son in a park swing for an abnormally long period of time. Police arrived at the Wills Memorial Park in La Plata that Friday morning and discovered little Ji’Aire was dead. Investigators were called to the scene as the toddler’s mother, Romechia Simms was held for questioning.
For over a month the public has been clamoring to see how a sweet child could perish during playground time. Was he sick? Did something tragic happen? The autopsy report has been released and it shows Ji’Aire was alive on May 20 when his mother placed him into the swing.
For two days he remained in the swing. Ji’Aire died of dehydration and hypothermia, his death has been ruled a homicide. This is a tragedy that has deeply affected those following his story. Officials are releasing bits of information that may clue in the public on the potential path of what happened to one sweet child. Simms previously experienced a mental breakdown in her life, the circumstances surrounding that breakdown has not been revealed.
For 44 hours, Simms remained in the Wills Memorial Park pushing her son. Someone who had visited the park on May 20 walked through it two days later and found it curious the same woman and her child were still there.
Simms lived with her son and mother in a local motel. Reportedly, Simms’ mother relayed a varying account of the story, advising her daughter left the home on May 21 to visit local retailers. Police debunked the information received and said they have witnesses coming forward advising Simms and Ji’Aire were seen at the park on the morning of May 20.
NBC Washington spoke to Ji’Aire’s father who said he tried in vain to gain full custody of his son, because he feared Simms’ mental instability. The grieving father said the system needs revision to focus on the “fitter” parent.
During a memorial this week for the toddler, Simms was in attendance where she greeted relatives, friends and community residents arriving to honor the tragic passing of her son.
Investigators are reviewing the case and the mother’s mental evaluation to determine if and what charges may be forthcoming.