A 34-year-old woman, Tyshael Elise Martin, is facing charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse after allegedly orchestrating the brutal death of 9-year-old Jamaria Sessions. Martin reportedly ordered a 100-pound Rottweiler to attack the child and was later seen kicking and beating her, leading to Jamaria’s death. Martin maintains that she didn’t directly cause the child’s death, although evidence gathered by detectives paints a different picture.
During an interrogation with investigators, Martin admitted to using “scare tactics” in an attempt to make Jamaria behave but denied any intent to kill her. However, detectives pointed out that some of her statements, such as “I’m fixin’ to kill her,” could be considered premeditated actions. Despite Martin’s defense, the detective argued that using scare tactics was, in itself, a form of premeditation. The seriousness of the charges was emphasized as the detective listed all the injuries and evidence found on Jamaria’s body, including 26 pages of autopsy results.
Martin also suggested that Jamaria’s father, LoJuan Sessions, who has been charged with aggravated manslaughter, might bear some responsibility for the girl’s death. Martin claimed she could have done more to prevent the fatal incident but remained focused on justifying her own actions. Authorities pieced together the details of the attack from video footage taken inside and outside the home, which painted a disturbing picture of the events leading up to Jamaria’s death.
The tragedy unfolded on the morning of June 17, when deputies responded to an emergency call from Martin’s home. Upon arrival, they found Jamaria unresponsive, with numerous signs of abuse, including abrasions, bruising, possible bite marks, and burns. The injuries appeared to be in various stages of healing, suggesting prolonged abuse. Deputies later discovered that Martin had attempted to wake Jamaria that morning, but the child was cold to the touch and unresponsive.
The key evidence in the case came from video footage that showed the family’s Rottweiler attacking Jamaria. In several clips, Martin is seen holding the leash of the dog, encouraging it to bite Jamaria while the girl is lying on the floor. As the videos continued, the child appeared disoriented and wounded, with hair extensions falling from her head, possibly from the dog pulling at her hair. Martin then allegedly forced Jamaria to stand with her arms held up, and when the child appeared disoriented, Martin kicked her in the hip and stomach area.
At one point, Martin reportedly grabbed Jamaria by her hair and dragged her across the floor. The girl was described as motionless and not resisting. Deputies say that in the moments leading up to her death, Martin appeared to make statements implying the child would be killed. Authorities also discovered that Martin had subjected Jamaria to physical punishment in the form of prolonged exercises, including wall sits, running in place, and treadmill workouts. In addition to these punishments, Martin allegedly kicked, punched, and pinched the girl.
An autopsy concluded that Jamaria died from blunt force trauma to her head, torso, and extremities, as well as thermal injury to her right foot. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, prompting authorities to pursue the death penalty against Martin in October. The case has shocked the community, with many expressing disbelief over the extent of abuse Jamaria endured in her final days. Martin’s actions, which allegedly included not only physical violence but also the manipulation of the family dog to inflict harm, have sparked outrage as the case continues to unfold in the courts.
