Whatcom County woman pleads not guilty to murder charges in death of 3-year-old girl
The Whatcom County woman accused of killing her boyfriend’s 3-year-old daughter pleaded not guilty Friday, Dec. 13, in Whatcom County Superior Court.
Kamee Nicole Dixon, 27, pleaded not guilty to homicide by abuse (domestic violence) and second-degree murder (domestic violence) for the death of Hazel Journey Homan.
Dixon’s jury trial is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 3, 2020. Dixon is currently incarcerated in the Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
“The Shaken Baby Syndrome diagnosis has been under increasing scrutiny over the past decade. It has been used in courts to send numerous innocent people to prison. We ask the community to refrain from passing judgment on Ms. Dixon until they have all of the facts,” Emily Beschen, one of Dixon’s defense attorneys, told The Bellingham Herald.
Charging documents show Hazel suffered a repeated pattern of abuse at the hands of Dixon in the last six months of her life that ultimately led to the toddler’s death on Nov. 30. The toddler allegedly suffered broken bones, bruises and burns while being cared for by Dixon.
Dixon was formally charged with second-degree murder and homicide by abuse Dec. 9. The homicide by abuse charge incorporates the past alleged abuse.
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.
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, the court records state.
Hazel’s death
At 9:17 a.m. on Nov. 27, Bellingham police were called to the 2100 block of Texas Street for the report of a pediatric cardiac arrest, where they were told by Dixon that Hazel had choked on food and lost consciousness, court records state.
Hazel was taken to St. Joseph’s hospital where she was diagnosed with a brain bleed and hypothermia — her body temperature was approximately 86 degrees, court records show. Bellingham police observed Hazel had multiple bruises on her body and at least one cigarette burn, court records state.
Hazel was transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment. On Nov. 29, a child abuse pediatrician told Bellingham police 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. They also said there was no evidence of choking and that they suspected physical abuse.
A day later, Hazel was declared legally brain dead.
The King County Medical Examiner has not yet ruled on Hazel’s cause or manner of death, and the investigation is still pending as of late Friday afternoon.
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 will be updated.
This story was originally published December 13, 2019 at 3:17 PM.
