Massachusetts mother charged in connection with toddler death has her bail revoked

A mother charged in connection with the death of her 2-year-old daughter — and who had been set free by a bail fund — has had her bail revoked after allegedly threatening to “slaughter” her neighbors in Whitman.

Shaniqua Leonard, 29, on Tuesday turned herself in to the probation department in Brockton Superior Court after state police obtained a probation warrant for violating a condition of her release, according to Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz.

On Saturday, Leonard had threatened to “slaughter” her neighbors during an unprovoked confrontation that was captured by a home security system, police said.

State Police on Monday searched for Leonard in Roxbury, where her GPS monitoring bracelet showed her location, but then Leonard cut her monitor off before police arrived, the DA’s Office said. Leonard ended up turning herself in on Tuesday.

At a Tuesday hearing, the DA’s Office motioned to revoke her $25,000 cash bail — which had been paid by the National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls.

Brockton Superior Court Judge Maynard Kirpalani allowed the DA’s motion to revoke the bail. Leonard was taken into custody, and will be held without bail for 90 days.

“It is becoming crystal clear that these bail funds serve no purpose other than to free criminals to commit more crimes, with no regard for public safety, and absolutely no compassion for the victims,” Cruz said in a statement.

She has been charged with manslaughter and reckless endangerment of a child in connection with the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Lyric Farrell, who was found unresponsive on Dec. 28. Two days later, the tot was taken off of life support.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2QKrWbV