OCTAVIA WATKINS - 12 yo (6/2014)/ Charged: Mother; Yasmin Lewis and Kisha Young - Dallas TX

Mother charged after girl thrown from top of car dies

By Staff Reports digitalaccess@ahbelo.com
9:39 pm on July 7, 2014

Crowley police say they have charged a second woman in connection with the death of a 12-year-old girl who died from her injuries after being thrown from the top of a moving car last month.

Police said Kisha Young, 39, let six children ride on the hood and trunk of her Chevrolet Malibu on June 17 because their clothes were wet after swimming at the Creekside Community Pool.

Octavia Watkins died June 25, when she was removed from life support, police said.

On Monday, Crowley detectives said their investigation revealed Watkins’ mother, Yasmin Lewis, was also in the car and shared responsibility in the incident.

Police arrested Lewis and she was charged with reckless injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, a second degree felony. She posted $15,000 bond and was released from jail.

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2014/07/mother-charged-after-girl-thrown-from-top-of-car-dies.html/

Texas girl, 12, dies from head injuries after woman made her ride on car roof because of wet swimsuit
Octavia Watkins was taken off life support Wednesday night after suffering severe head injuries during a tumble from the roof of a car. She was one of six children whom Kisha Young forced to ride on top of her Chevrolet Malibu after a day at a Crowley swimming pool.

BY CAROL KURUVILLA, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Friday, June 27, 2014, 11:53 AM

It was the mother of all blunders, and now a daughter is dead.

A 12-year-old Texas girl died late Wednesday night after a terrifying fall from the roof of a woman’s car.

Kisha Young had refused to let the Octavia Watkins and her five playmates ride inside the Chevrolet Malibu because the woman didn’t want the children’s wet bathing suits to ruin the vehicle’s upholstery, cops said.

It was supposed to be a quick 1-minute journey from the Creekside Community Pool to a Tarrant County home June 17, but the trip ended tragically after the youngsters were thrown off the roof while Young was navigating a corner.

Crowley police suspect the 39-year-old woman was intoxicated while driving. She and her fellow adult passenger, Watkins’ mom, apparently remained clueless about what had happened to the kids until a stranger flagged down the car.

Watkins suffered severe head injuries from her fall. The little girl was take off life support at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, NBC reports.

Three other children who suffered injuries during the fall were released from the hospital, WFAA reports. The kids were all between the ages of 8 and 14.

Young was charged with intoxication assault, which is a third degree felony. She also faces charges of injury to a child and DWI with a child. She was released from jail on $110,000 bond.

Watkins’ mom may also face charges for the incident.

"The adults involved are responsible for the children, and whatever happens to them while they are in their care," said Crowley police officer CC Meadows.

Texas’ Child Protective Services is investigating both women. The surviving children were all taken away from their mothers and placed in the custody of relatives.

Albert Garcia remembers rushing to Watkins side after seeing her lying on the pavement after the accident.

"She was totally unconscious the whole time, so that was my main concern," he said. "I know the mom didn’t do this on purpose. She was trying to have fun. But she needed to think this through a little bit more."

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/girl-dies-woman-forced-ride-car-roof-article-1.1846521