26-year-old
Zimbabawean woman, Nomatter Gava-Hudson stabbed her son three times in
the abdomen in Mississippi on Monday, October 5, during an argument with
her husband who screamed for help and got one from a passer-by who
called 911.
According to
Police spokesman Sgt. Damon McDaniel, investigators learned that an
argument took place between Gava-Hudson and her husband, the child’s
father, during which Gava-Hudson became “belligerent,” brandished a
knife and intentionally stabbed the child.
The child was
taken to a local hospital and later transferred to the University of
South Alabama Medical Centre where he was listed in stable condition
Wednesday afternoon.
The 26-year-old
mother appeared in court earlier this week charged with attempted
murder and is being held on a $1 million bond. She could be deported if
she’s convicted of attempted murder.
The hearing before Judge Brandon Ladner on Monday lasted less than 10 minutes.
Gava-Hudson was
informed of the charge against her, told she had the right to remain
silent and the right to have an attorney represent her.
She sobbed
softly while being asked questions by the court clerk and sobbed the
loudest when asked if she had any children, to which she replied she has
a three-year-old son.
Judge Ladner
said he would appoint a public defender to represent her, but also said
she had the right to hire a private attorney.
She was dressed
in a red and white striped jail jump suit and had leg shackles on.
Gava-Hudson had been on suicide watch at the Harrison County Adult
Detention Centre. The next step is a preliminary hearing, where the
charge against her will be detailed with evidence and testimony. Judge
Ladner said that preliminary hearing will be held in the next three to
four weeks.
Meanwhile the
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on her. After
her arrest, ICE asked the jail to hold her pending resolution of the
criminal charge.
Source: The Mississippi Press