The Tampa Police Department has released an official timeline of events surrounding the death of 4-year-old J'Hyrah Daniels after her mother reportedly drowned her in the Hillsborough River on Thursday.
Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan referred to the following timeline as he described events that led to the arrest of Shakayla Denson in the murder of her 4-year-old daughter during a press conference on Friday. Chief Dugan referred to the case as "tragic, chaotic, and unbelievable."
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The following is the official timeline from Tampa Police Department:
3:09 p.m. - Shakayla Denson steals 2007 Nissan Altima from a car lot at 5604 N 40th St. Witnesses say they observed her forcefully pushing a child into the backseat of the car. One witness attempted to intervene and was slightly struck by the car. Fortunately, that person was not injured.
4:00 p.m. - A witness said they saw Shakayla Denson exiting the Nissan Altima near the intersection of N Rome Avenue and W Aileen Street. Witnesses observed her forcefully remove a child from the backseat, dragging the child by the arm, headed toward the Hillsborough River. Witnesses reported that the child - later identified as Denson's 4-year-old daughter, Je'Hyrah Daniels - was screaming. At one time both the child and the mother were screaming. Witnesses say Denson grabbed Je'Hyrah with both arms and pulled her close to her chest as the mother waded deeper into the water. The water was near the top of the Denson's shoulders when she released Je'Hyrah into the water. Shakayla Denson then turned around and headed back to the shore.
4:16 p.m. - Shakayla Denson walks southbound along Rome. She is detained by TPD officers near 2301 N Oregon Avenue. TPD officers search the river. Dive team arrives and begins their search.
4:30 p.m. - TPD dive team locates the unconscious child. Je'Hyrah is delivered to Tampa Fire Rescue and rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital.
4:49 p.m. - The victim - 4-year-old Je'Hyrah Daniels - is declared deceased.
5:50 p.m. - Witnesses positively identify Shakayla Denson as the woman who dragged the child into the Hillsborough River.
10:30 p.m. - Shakayla Denson is charged with First Degree Felony Murder, Aggravated Child Abuse, Grand Theft Auto.
