Charging papers show Bellingham toddler suffered repeated physical abuse before death
Charging documents show that 3-year-old Hazel Journey Homan suffered a repeated pattern of abuse in the last six months of her life that ultimately led to her death on Nov. 30.
Investigators with the Bellingham Police Department determined that Hazel suffered alleged repeated abuse at the hands of 27-year-old Kamee Nicole Dixon, according to Whatcom County Superior Court documents.
Dixon was arrested Dec. 5 on suspicion of second-degree murder for Hazel’s death. Dixon is currently incarcerated in the Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail. Her arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 13.
Dixon was not Hazel’s biological mother, but was in an “engaged” relationship with Hazel’s biological father, Brandon Homan. Dixon was Hazel’s primary caregiver while Homan was at work, including on the day of the incident that led to Hazel’s death, according to court records.
The records show that Hazel was taken into protective custody by Child Protective Services in November 2017 and placed with Homan’s mother. In June 2019, Hazel was returned to Homan’s custody, according to court records.
The court records detail how Hazel suffered repeated physical abuse over the next four months, stating:
▪ On August 3, a family member was baby-sitting Hazel and noticed and photographed suspicious bruising on the toddler’s chest and shoulders. There also appeared to be scarring from a cigarette burn.
▪ Sometime later that month, a friend of Dixon’s was at their house in the 2300 block of Valencia Street. Hazel wet herself and Dixon allegedly got angry and placed the toddler naked into a cold shower. Dixon’s friend told police that Hazel was in the shower for a long period of time and “was in visible distress” until the friend stepped in “to prevent any further injury” to Hazel.
▪ On Oct. 2, Hazel touched a hot stove top, causing substantial burns to her hand, and reportedly was not seen until a week later by doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital. A CPS referral was made due to mandatory reporting laws.
▪ Thirteen days later, Hazel was seen by medical professionals for an “alkaline chemical burn” to her eye.
Hazel’s death
At 9:16 a.m. on Nov. 27, Bellingham police responded to the 2100 block of Texas Street for a pediatric cardiac arrest. Officers were told Hazel had choked on food in an apartment nearby and Dixon had tried to perform the Heimlich maneuver, records state. Dixon couldn’t find her cellphone, so she ran to her neighbor’s apartment for help.
Hazel was taken to St. Joseph’s hospital where she was diagnosed with a brain bleed and hypothermia, court records show. The toddler’s body temperature was approximately 86 degrees. A Bellingham police crime scene investigator observed Hazel had multiple bruises on her body and at least one cigarette burn, according to court records.
Hazel was then transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment. On Nov. 29, a child abuse pediatrician at Harborview told Bellingham police that Hazel suffered a brain hemorrhage as a result of “shaken baby syndrome” and that the injuries could not have been caused by anything other than that, court records state. The doctor said there were no signs of choking and that they suspected physical abuse.
A day later, Hazel was declared legally brain dead.
A skeletal survey conducted by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Hazel had a broken finger, wrist, knee and hip bone, all of which occurred within the past six months and showed signs of healing, the records show.
Investigators concluded that Hazel was in the sole care of Dixon on the morning of Nov. 27 and that the assault ultimately led to the child’s death, court records state.
Dixon was arrested without incident Dec. 5 in the 4100 block of Cordata Parkway.
As of Saturday morning, the King County Medical Examiner had not officially ruled on the cause and manner of Hazel’s death.
Formal charges for Dixon are expected to be filed early next week.
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 8, 2019 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Charging papers show Bellingham toddler suffered repeated physical abuse before death."
