TAMPA, Fla. – A third doctor is scheduled to evaluate the mental competency of a Tampa mother accused of leaving her child in a river to drown, a judge ruled Tuesday morning.
Judge Kimberly K. Fernandez granted the defense's request for Shakayla Denson, who is accused of leaving her daughter in the Hillsborough River to drown.
Denson, 26, pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder charge in the Aug. 2 death of her daughter, Je'Hyrah Daniels. She is also charged with aggravated child abuse and grand theft auto.
A spokesperson for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Hillsborough County said two of the doctors' reports – which are expected to determine whether Denson has a mental illness and/or an intellectual disability – are completed.
The defense said in court Tuesday they had not seen the results of the two mental competency evaluations before requesting for another doctor's evaluation.
The third doctor's evaluation is due Dec. 10. Denson is due back in court the next day.
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