A 31-year-old man in South Carolina has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in helping his girlfriend cover up the tragic death of her 4-year-old daughter. The child, who had special needs, was found brutally beaten and stuffed into a dresser drawer in 2020. Audrevious Jarrell Williams was charged with murder and homicide by child abuse in connection with the death of India Heavenly Lacey Martin. However, Williams reached a plea deal with prosecutors, agreeing to plead guilty to aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse and to testify against the child’s mother, Jackleen Mullen, in exchange for more serious charges being dropped.
The case shocked the community due to its harrowing details. Detective Robert Smith, who investigated the case, described the circumstances surrounding the child’s death as one of the most miserable a child could ever face. Williams was sentenced by Judge Eugene C. Griffith Jr. in the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court, who ordered him to serve 12 years in a state correctional facility. Williams had already served 931 days in jail, which was credited to his sentence.
While Williams’ defense lawyer, Geoff Dunn, acknowledged his client’s role in the tragic event, he argued that Williams had taken responsibility for his actions. Dunn also expressed relief that the court balanced accountability with an opportunity for redemption. The prosecution, on the other hand, had requested the maximum possible sentence of 20 years, given the severity of the crime.
In addition to Williams’ sentence, Jackleen Mullen was convicted of homicide by child abuse and aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse. Mullen was acquitted of the murder charge, but she was sentenced to 30 years on the first charge and 10 years on the second, to be served concurrently. She will have to serve at least 85% of her sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Mullen’s actions were further scrutinized during the trial, particularly her behavior before the discovery of her daughter’s body. Despite knowing her daughter was dead, Mullen lied to authorities, claiming that India was staying with a relative in North Carolina. Police discovered India’s body hidden in a dresser drawer, sparking an investigation into the horrific circumstances.
Mullen’s actions were highlighted by prosecutors, who noted that she continued to lie even after her daughter had died. She had come to the police station and pleaded guilty to a separate forgery charge while still denying that her daughter was dead, a fact she knew well. This led to further outrage as Mullen’s deceit compounded the tragedy of the little girl’s death.
During the trial, body camera footage was presented showing an interaction between Mullen and an officer, in which the officer bluntly asked her where her child was. Mullen insisted that India was alive and staying with a relative. But the officer’s direct questioning left no room for doubt, as they were aware of the child’s death before Mullen finally admitted the truth. This footage served as a grim reminder of the extent of Mullen’s lies and the heart-wrenching nature of the crime.
While the sentencing of both Williams and Mullen brought some closure to the case, the memory of little India’s tragic death will remain with all who followed the case. The public has expressed outrage and sorrow over the brutal fate of the child, and the legal outcomes, though severe, cannot undo the immense loss her death represents.
