Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

2:31 p.m. • 6-19-13

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Thu: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 85° F
  • Fri: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 85° F
  • Sat: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 85° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Published: 2010-04-09 08:55:00
Updated: 2010-04-10 08:00:27

Police charge mom who smothered second baby


Destiny Judd, charged with smothering infant
Destiny Judd, charged with smothering infant
print friendly

A Dunn woman who accidentally suffocated two infants in less than four years has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Destiny Tequita Judd, 23, of Sawyer Circle, was arrested Tuesday and was being held in the Harnett County jail under a $100,000 bond.

Judd's 7-week-old daughter, Jordan, died Dec. 26. An autopsy determined that the infant was asphyxiated when she was pinned between her mother and the back of a couch.

Judd told WRAL News last month that she curled up with Jordan on the couch. The baby was against the back of the couch, and Judd was facing her so the baby wouldn't roll off onto the floor, she said.

When she awoke, however, she found that she had rolled over, and her back was up against the baby and the back of the couch.

Dunn Police Chief B.P. Jones said officers and Department of Social Services staff had warned Judd previously against sleeping with young children because she had smothered another infant.

On Oct. 11, 2006, Judd accidentally suffocated her 5-week-old son, Zykeise, when he was trapped behind her on a couch, according to an autopsy report.

Judd maintained that no one ever told her that sleeping on a couch with children was dangerous, noting she has always let her children sleep in bed with her.

Judd has two other children, ages 6 and 2.

Her first court appearance was set for April 27.


99 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

View Comments VIEW ALL 99 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments.

Latest Comments
This woman is a couch potato living off the system. Put her in prision and we will still pay the bill, however she will not be able to KILL another child.

Can you say birth control?

Umm.. I see no racist comments on here.. All I see is outraged people at the ignorance of a baby killer. No way this was an accident. Hope she gets what she deserves in jail ...

Top Darwin Award Winner here. Poor children.

Negligent homicide, involuntary manslaughter at the very least. You can't call this an accident twice. Please, let justice be done.

View Comments VIEW ALL 99 COMMENTS