22-year-old Romiere Hale pleaded guilty to the charges of murder and endangering children. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on April 12th, 2021, where 4-year-old Ma'Laya Dewitt was found unresponsive at a home on North Elizabeth Street. She later died at the hospital. Romiere Hale was the boyfriend of her mother Stayce Riley.

The defense counsel for a Lima woman facing endangering children charges is asking for funds to hire a psychologist. Stayce Riley's defense is asking for a consulting psychologist to mitigate issues and says mental health factors might play a part in the defense.

Stayce Riley was taken into custody after Lima Police found her daughter, Ma'Laya Dewitt, unresponsive on April 13th. Dewitt was later pronounced deceased at an area hospital. Riley submitted a waiver for a hearing in Lima Municipal Court. Her case is now bound to the Allen County Grand Jury. The judge presiding over the preliminary hearing ordered that her bond of $200,000 cash surety remain.

The Lima Police Department responded to a call of an unresponsive four-year-old at 535 North Elizabeth Street on April 13th, 2021 at 2:08 P.M. The child was transported from the scene to a local area hospital, where lifesaving measures were attempted but were unsuccessful. The child was then pronounced deceased. The child was identified as Ma'laya Dewitt. One suspect was then arrested. Romiere Hale, 21-years-old of Lima, is being held at the Allen County Jail. Hale was a member of the household and is the boyfriend of Dewitt's mother.

A large crowd gathered in the square of downtown Lima to remember the life of Ma'laya Dewitt. Pictures of the little girl's smiling face lined the table as friends and family took a moment to look back on the memories. A portion of the crowd held out "Justice for Ma'laya" signs. They want to make sure that the charges are followed through within court with the two people involved with her death.