On Thursday, a Las Vegas woman was handed 10 to 25 years behind bars after pleading guilty to leaving her 5-year-old daughter in a hot, locked bedroom, which eventually led to the death of the child.
25-year-old Kemaya Taylor pleaded guilty but mentally ill last month to second-degree murder, child abuse and endangerment.
On June 28, 2021, Taylor was found to have left her two daughters, ages 5 and 2, in a hot, locked upstairs bedroom in the family’s home near East Pyle Avenue and South Maryland Parkway.
Nyomi Coleman, the 5-year-old daughter had been dead for a long period of time, according to the police. Taylor refused to speak during her sentencing hearing before District Judge Tierra Jones.
According to Las Vegas Review Journal, Kelvin Coleman, the child’s father told the judge that he still doesn’t understand why Taylor did not seek help.
“She’s always had the support and the help that she’s needed,” Coleman said. “My family has always been there; they’ve always been a call away. It just doesn’t make any sense.”
Marisa Brown, Coleman’s mother said Nyomi’s sister asks about Nyomi every day..
With tears in her eyes, Brown said, “She should still be here. There’s no reason why she should not be here. She was only 5 years old.”
On Thursday, Judge Jones sentenced Taylor to 10 to 25 years in prison, following a plea agreement. Taylor was also ordered to undergo mental health treatment behind bars for pleading mentally ill.