TAMPA, Fla. -- A Tampa mother accused of leaving her 4-year-old daughter to drown in the Hillsborough River has been found not competent to stand trial.
Shakayla Denson, 26, will now be sent to a state hospital for competency training. A spokesperson for Hillsborough County courts said she will return to court on another date after she finishes training and doctors deem her competent.
Three doctors were assigned to evaluate Denson's mental competency. A report from the third doctor came on Monday.
Denson pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder charge in the Aug. 2 drowning death of her daughter, Je'Hyrah Daniels. She was also charged with aggravated child abuse and grand theft auto.
Investigators said in less than two hours, Denson stole a car from a lot in Tampa, then left her daughter to drown. After allegedly stealing the car from a lot at 5604 N. 40th St., investigators said Denson stopped off near the intersection of North Rome Avenue and West Aileen Street.
Witnesses observed her remove a child from the backseat and drag the child by the arm towards the Hillsborough River. Investigators said the water was near the top of Denson's shoulders when she released Daniels. Denson reportedly turned around and headed back to shore.
Daniels was declared deceased around 4:49 p.m. on Aug. 2.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10News app now.
Have a news tip? Email desk@wtsp.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
