News

Actions

Bond denied for man charged in Norfolk child’s death

Posted
and last updated

NORFOLK, Va. – A man accused in the death of an 11-year-old Norfolk girl will not be getting out of jail on bond.

Demont J Harris

A judge denied Demont Harris bond at a hearing Wednesday morning. He will be back in court on July 30 for a preliminary hearing.

Harris's attorney said they do plan to appeal the bond denial and stated the abuse was not at the hands of Harris, but the victim's mother.

Earlier this month, Norfolk Police found Harris' fiancée's daughter, 11-year-old Heaven Watkins, dead inside a home on Balview Avenue in Ocean View. Relatives said Heaven had autism and cerebral palsy.

The medical examiner told News 3 Heaven died from blunt force trauma to the head and torso.

Harris and Latoya Smith, Heaven's mother, are charged with murder as well as a malicious wounding charge from an incident back in February.

Smith's bond was denied last week.

During that hearing, the prosecution told the court Harris put Heaven's hand under hot water until it burned her skin. The child was hospitalized in Norfolk for six days and had to get a skin graft.

The judge decided Heaven's mother should not be out in the community because she never blew the whistle on the alleged abuse.

RELATED:

Neighborhood holds vigil for 11-year-old girl killed in Ocean View

Disturbing details revealed in court about Norfolk child’s death

Family of 11-year-old victim speaks out as they plan memorial services to honor the child

Medical Examiner: cause of Norfolk 11-year-old’s death was blunt force trauma

Two more children taken from Norfolk home after 11-year-old’s death

Couple arrested for the death of a child in Norfolk