Police say mom strangled son, 4

Chicago Tribune ^ | May 17, 2005 | Jennifer Lebovich and Jeff Coen

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

The death of a 4-year-old boy that police initially thought was a tragic accident turned out to be something more sinister--the alleged murder of a child by his mother, officials said.

Police on Sunday charged Nicole Harris, 23, with first-degree murder in the death of her son, Jaqueir Dancy. Prosecutors allege she killed the boy because he would not stop crying.

Police originally believed the boy died after he became tangled in the elastic of his bedsheet, but the investigation took a turn after an anonymous tip, police spokesman David Bayless said.

Harris allegedly admitted to wrapping an elastic band around the boy's neck and choking him "until he stopped struggling," said Assistant State's Atty. Cathy Gregorovic. "Until blood was coming out of his mouth."

The boy's father, Sta'Von Dancy, 34, said he found Jaqueir on Saturday in the bedroom the boy shared with his brother. Police were called about 4:30 p.m.

Dancy said he feels "like I let him down. That was my buddy."

Dancy did not attend a bond hearing Monday, where a judge set Harris' bail at $1 million.

He said he is angry and upset with his girlfriend of seven years and has not spoken with her since her arrest.

Dancy remembered his son as a child who loved reading Blue's Clues, watching cartoons and being with his 5-year-old brother.

"I miss all the things I used to do with him," he said. "He was energetic. He was everywhere."

A piece of cardboard with "In loving memory" written on it stood as a memorial in front of the apartment where the family has lived since April. Dancy bent over to light two candles, part of a bunch that sat in front of the brown brick building.

[Irontank]

Harris allegedly admitted to wrapping an elastic band around the boy's neck and choking him "until he stopped struggling," said Assistant State's Atty. Cathy Gregorovic. "Until blood was coming out of his mouth."

This just makes you sick to your stomach...she should be strung up for what she did to that poor little boy...his own mother...pure evil