‘Hazel needs justice’ grandfather says at hearing of woman accused of toddler’s death
Bail has been set at $1 million for a 27-year-old Whatcom County woman accused of murdering her boyfriend’s 3-year-old daughter.
Kamee Nicole Dixon appeared Friday, Dec. 6, in Whatcom County Superior Court on suspicion of second-degree murder for the death of Hazel Journey Homan. Dixon’s arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 13.
Whatcom County Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Erik Sigmar said Dixon was especially dangerous due to the level of traumatic abuse and violence inflicted upon Hazel that ultimately caused her death.
“The court found probable cause that the defendant committed murder in the second degree against a 3-year-old girl, and it wouldn’t be uncommon for a prosecutor such as myself to ask the court for $1 million bail for a serious violent offense. But this case is different,” Sigmar said in court. “The victim was especially vulnerable and played no part in the turn of events leading to her step-mother literally shaking the life out of her.”
Sigmar said Dixon had access to Hazel during a six-month period prior to her death on Nov. 30, and was the primary caregiver for the toddler while Hazel’s biological father was at work. Dixon is not Hazel’s biological mother, but is in a relationship with Hazel’s father.
Hazel allegedly suffered repeated traumatic abuse at the hands of Dixon during the six-month period she cared for the child, Sigmar said. He said Hazel suffered a traumatic burn on her hand, which required treatment at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, multiple broken bones throughout her body and cigarette burns.
Sigmar asked Whatcom County Court Commissioner Leon Henley Jr. to set bail at $2 million.
“I would not be offended if you set it higher,” Sigmar said.
Starck Follis, director of the Whatcom County Public Defender’s Office, said Dixon was born and raised in Whatcom County and has deep ties to the area. He said Dixon’s 5-year-old son has now been placed into the care of Child Protective Services based on the allegations, but that there were no prior claims of abuse or neglect.
Follis argued that Dixon was not a flight risk and would appear at her next court appearance, and that though the charges were of concern, Dixon was not a danger to the generalized community.
“I do understand and agree with Mr. Sigmar that this is an emotional case, it has certainly caused the community some concern, however it is not a case that reflects a general danger to the community, and that’s what bail is all about,” Follis said. “It seems rather inconceivable she would commit another offense given the circumstances of this case.”
Hazel’s family speaks
Prior to Henley making his bail decision, Hazel’s maternal grandfather, Jason Pederson, said he didn’t believe Dixon should get bail, based on the continued pattern of abuse.
“My granddaughter, I’ll never be able to hold or see or visit with again,” Pederson said. “I’m heartbroken, and I’m torn apart, and Hazel needs justice.”
Hazel’s father, Brandon Homan, also spoke Friday. He asked that Henley set a lower bail so that Dixon could still be with her son. He said that Dixon has been his cheerleader and the biggest part of their family.
He said the family dressed up together for Halloween with homemade costumes, and that the pair put their children first. He said Dixon wasn’t going to run, and asked Henley to acknowledge their son was dealing with the arrest of Dixon as well.
“This tragic situation, I don’t have an answer for. I don’t, and that’s my baby girl, and that’s her mom. I wish I had answers, but I don’t,” Brandon Homan said. “Kamee helped handle and treated Hazel like her own from the beginning. We never abused our kids. I had CPS so far on me, if there was neglect, then why weren’t they there?”
Henley reprimanded Homan, saying he needed to address bail and wasn’t there to decide Dixon’s guilt or innocence.
Dixon’s father also spoke, and said he was proud of his daughter for helping raise the children.
Hazel’s death
Hazel died Nov. 30 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The King County Medical Examiner had not ruled on Hazel’s cause or manner of death as of Friday evening.
On Nov. 27, a 911 call was made for a possible pediatric cardiac arrest in the 2100 block of Texas Street. That morning, Dixon who was Hazel’s sole and primary caretaker, called 911 to say Hazel was possibly choking on something, according to a Bellingham Police Department press release.
Brandon Homan was at work at the time of the incident. Hazel was taken to St. Joseph hospital, where she was treated for hypothermia and was suffering from a brain bleed, the release states.
Hazel was taken to Harborview for further treatment, where doctors determined Hazel’s brain hemorrhages were consistent with shaken baby syndrome, the release states.
Doctors told investigators there was no evidence of choking and they suspected physical abuse, according to the release. They said Hazel’s brain injuries were inflicted very shortly before she lost consciousness on the morning of Nov. 27. Doctors said her death three days later was a direct result of an assault and were ultimately caused by Dixon, the release states.
Dixon was arrested without incident Dec. 5 in the 4100 block of Cordata Parkway.
According to court records, Dixon has previous convictions for first-degree criminal trespassing and third-degree theft from 2012. She also has juvenile convictions for second-degree assault and witness tampering from 2017.
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the following local resources for free, confidential support:
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org.
This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 3:43 PM with the headline "‘Hazel needs justice’ grandfather says at hearing of woman accused of toddler’s death."
