KC child’s death ruled a homicide

The death of a Kansas City toddler last month has been ruled a homicide, Kansas City police said Wednesday.

The 1-year-old girl, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead March 27 after residents of an apartment in the 6900 block of East 116th Street found her unresponsive.

Her mother, 19-year-old Donniesha Lasha Lee, has been charged with child abuse and first-degree domestic assault. Authorities said that amended charges could be filed as a result of the homicide finding by the Jackson County medical examiner.

According to previously filed court documents, witnesses said Lee was drinking and was seen striking the child and squeezing her tightly to her chest before she stopped breathing.

Tony Rizzo, trizzo@kcstar.com

This story was originally published April 22, 2015 at 9:58 AM with the headline "KC child’s death ruled a homicide."