12-year-old girl charged with first-degree murder after allegedly suffocating 8-year-old cousin

Elisheva Wimberly
·2 min read

HUMBOLDT, Tenn. (WKRN) — A 12-year-old girl was charged with first-degree murder after prosecutors said that she suffocated her 8-year-old cousin in a bunk bed they shared in Humboldt, Tennessee.

The victim’s mother, Ramaya Smith, told News 2’s sister station WREG that the issue arose over an argument about an iPhone. Smith remembered her eight-year-old daughter as happy.

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“When they told me about that, I should have just gone to get my kid,” Smith told WREG. “But they were having fun for the summer, and I didn’t think she would kill my baby.”

Demeria Hollingsworth, 8, and her cousin were staying with their grandmother in Humboldt for the summer.

“She liked to read books, go swimming, and play outside.” Smith said. “Ride her bike every day, play with the kids in the neighborhood, play with my friends’ kids. My baby was sweet.”

Demeria Hollingsworth (Courtesy WREG)
Demeria Hollingsworth (Courtesy WREG)
Ramaya Smith and Demeria Hollingsworth (Courtesy WREG)
Ramaya Smith and Demeria Hollingsworth (Courtesy WREG)

According to District Attorney Frederick Agee, home surveillance video showed a child, identified as Hollingsworth’s cousin, smother Hollingsworth with bedding. The video then showed the 12-year-old clean up and reposition the body.

“I consider this to be one of the most disturbing violent acts committed by either an adult or juvenile that my office has prosecuted,” a statement from Agee reads, in part.

It went on to say that they are petitioning the juvenile judge to try the suspect as an adult.

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“Last time I seen my baby, she was smiling, giving me kisses, telling me she will see me when it’s time for her to come back home,” Smith said. “She’s never coming back home. She’s never coming back home.”

The 12-year-old, set to turn 13 soon, has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Smith said that she hoped for the maximum sentence.

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