Woman Convicted of Killing Boyfriend’s 4-Year-Old Daughter, Jakyzia Alexander (💔heartbreaking💔)
- New Mommy Life
- Apr 10, 2024
- 3 min read
A heartbreaking and tragic story that reminds me of a book I once read that spoke about monsters. I remember the exact sentence one of the main character's in the story said "...there are monsters, but they're not under the bed."
On April 5th of 2024, this horrific story broke the news and received some circulation, however, due to the severity of the crime committed, I personally believe this story should be going viral and used as not only a case study for parenting and parenting time evaluations in cases of couples with children who are (unfortunately) separating, yet also as a cautionary tale for moms and dads to be extremely careful with whom they allow to be around their children -- especially leaving their children alone with a new person they're dating or in a new relationship (now matter how much you like or are attracted to this new man or woman).
As a concerned mama, my heart aches for this angel, Jakyzia Alexander, that is no longer with us, and her family.
Even though this woman, Shawna Hooey, 33, (who is also a mother of 5 children) will spend decades in prison for killing her boyfriend’s 4-year-old daughter in 2019, prosecutors announced.
It seems like this is something that could have been avoided if there had been a more robust parentage and parenting time evaluation in order for this woman, Shawna Hooey to have had access to be alone with a child she did not have legal or physical custody of.
Helping out her boyfriend while he worked is/was clearly NOT a not a safe nor sustainable plan, as a father who needed help with navigating his daughter's care, safety and well-being.
There are so many questions that flood my mind...
After nine days of trial, a Harris County jury convicted this Texas woman 33-year-old Shawna Hooey of murder and sentenced her to 50 years in prison on April 3, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a press release.
According to prosecutors, Jakyzia’s father had sole custody and worked nights. He and Jakyzia moved in with Hooey and her four children in Tomball, Texas, after he started dating Hooey.
“Because of his work schedule, Jakyzia’s father stayed with family members who lived closer to his job and seldom saw his daughter,” the release states. “He did not see her for at least two months before her death, except through video calls.”
Prosecutors said Hooey took Jakyzia took an emergency room on Sept. 7, 2019, but gave medical staff and authorities various accounts of what happened to Jakyzia.
An examination determined Jakyzia died of blunt force trauma and had other injuries in different stages of healing.
Shawna Hooey, 33, was sentenced to 50 years in prison after being convicted of murdering her boyfriend's 4-year-old daughter Jakyzia Alexander.
Jakyzia Alexander, 4, died of blunt force trauma and an examination showed she had signs of repeated past abuse, prosecutors say.
I strongly encourage all parents and family to be dedicated and committed to the protection of your children. Do not be so quick to introduce nor have them around (nevermind left alone with) a new man or woman you are dating/interested in pursuing a romantic relationship.
Breakups are never easy and when you have children involved, it can make matters worse if both parents are not maintaining the harmony for their child/children to be able to receive love and support.
If you are noticing changes in your son's or daughter's behavior or sense that something is off with your child -- do not ignore it!
Provide a safe space for your child/children to speak freely about their feelings or how they are being treated or how they feel about your girlfriend or boyfriend.
Furthermore, if your son or daughter tells you something about them being mistreated -- look into it and get to the truth!
I pray that there are no more stories like this, there is enough tragedy in the world that we as moms and dads are supposed to be preparing our children for (in terms of how to overcome it), who we have them around shouldn't be one of them.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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