Harmoni Henderson
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CANDID ID: MI_24_2062
AGE
3   years
STATE
Michigan
DATE OF DEATH
3/17/2024
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On March 17, 2024, three-year-old Harmoni Henderson was left in the care of Iesha Marie Harris, a 30-year-old friend of Harmoni's mother, Paris England, at Harris's home in Southfield, Michigan. Harris allegedly left the toddler alone in a bedroom for approximately three hours while she smoked marijuana. Upon discovering that Harmoni had vomited on herself, Harris became enraged and allegedly poured scalding water on the child and slammed her head against the side of the bathtub. Harris then told England that Harmoni had fallen down the stairs, but when England arrived she found the child unresponsive and rushed her to a hospital, where Harmoni was pronounced dead. The Wayne County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and ruled the manner of death a homicide. Harris was charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse and was denied bond.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?

Is there any mention of a firearm incident?

Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

The ClickOnDetroit article states: "Harris is accused of leaving Harmoni alone in a bedroom for three hours on Sunday, March 17, as she smoked marijuana." A 3-year-old child was left unsupervised for three hours while the caregiver smoked marijuana, constituting inappropriate supervision.

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

Multiple sources describe inflicted injuries. The ClickOnDetroit article states: "Ms. Harris allegedly admitted to police she poured scalding water on top of the 3-year-old and slammed her head against the side of the bathtub." The medical examiner report describes the child as "Found beaten" with cause of death "Blunt force trauma to head."

Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?

Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?

Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?

Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?

Is there any mention of sexual abuse?

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

The child's head was deliberately slammed against the bathtub, resulting in fatal blunt force trauma to the head. The ClickOnDetroit article states Harris "slammed her head against the side of the bathtub," and the ME report lists cause of death as "Blunt force trauma to head." This constitutes abusive head trauma — inflicted traumatic brain injury to a child.

Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?

Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?

Individuals Involved

Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?

Was a biological father involved in the death?

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?

The ClickOnDetroit article headline reads "Southfield babysitter charged with murder in death of 3-year-old girl," and the article states Harris "offered to watch Harmoni." Harris was functioning as a babysitter at the time of the incident.

Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?

The Hoodline article identifies Harmoni as "the daughter of Harris's friend Paris England." Iesha Marie Harris, a female friend of the child's mother, was charged with murder and child abuse in connection with the death. The ClickOnDetroit article corroborates: "Over the weekend, her friend in Southfield offered to watch Harmoni."

Was a foster parent involved in the death?

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

Was a sibling involved in the death?

Child Characteristics

Was the child adopted?

Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?

Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?

Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)

Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?

Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?

Parent/Caregiver Factors

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

The ClickOnDetroit article states: "Iesha Marie Harris faces charges of felony murder and first-degree child abuse in connection with the death of a 3-year-old girl." The Hoodline article also confirms she was "slammed with murder and child abuse charges." She was denied bond.

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?

Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Both news articles state that Harris smoked marijuana while she was supposed to be watching Harmoni. The ClickOnDetroit article states: "Harris is accused of leaving Harmoni alone in a bedroom for three hours on Sunday, March 17, as she smoked marijuana."

Notable Details

A notable detail not fully captured by preceding questions is that Harris deceived the child's mother about the nature of the injuries, telling her that Harmoni "fell down the stairs and was fine." This deception delayed medical care, as the ClickOnDetroit article states the child was left in a bed "likely there for hours with no help." Additionally, Harris inflicted scalding water burns on the child before slamming her head, representing multiple forms of abuse in the same incident. The combination of the perpetrator's active deception and the resulting prolonged delay in medical treatment likely contributed to the fatal outcome.

Lives Cut Short