The Las Vegas woman accused of fatally stabbing a 3-year-old girl she was hired to care for appeared in court this week. A judge had previously ordered a mental health evaluation to determine if she is competent to stand trial.
Marketta Phillips, who remains in custody at the Clark County Detention Center, is charged with the murder of Journei Rossthe daughter of her on-again, off-again boyfriend.
WATCH | Marketta Philips, the woman accused of fatally stabbing 3-year-old, appears in court
Las Vegas babysitter accused of killing toddler to undergo mental health evaluation
Journei was found stabbed to death in her father’s apartment in March. Her father, Jeremy Ross, now wears a bracelet containing her ashesone of the few tangible memories he has left of his little girl.
It hurts. It really hurts, Ross said. So normalcy is not really normal.
VIDEO: 911 calls reveal father’s distress after finding 3-year-old daughter stabbed to death
911 calls reveal father’s distress after finding 3-year-old daughter stabbed to death
Days after Phillips arrest, she sat down for a brief jailhouse interview and maintained her innocence.
Im not even going to try to play this game, Phillips said. I dont even know whats going on out there. All I know is that it’s not what everybody is trying to make it seem. Thats all I really know right now, and Ill leave it at that.
Her statement did little to comfort Ross, who says he cant make sense of Phillips words with the trauma his family has endured.
Its an eye for an eye in this case, he said. I know she has the mental capacity to pull through and at least go to trial.
The judge postponed the competency hearing until next month. Phillips next court date is scheduled for July 9.