An Indiana woman, identified as 39-year-old Nakia, has been arrested and charged with capital murder following the death of her family member’s child while she was babysitting. The incident took place at a residence in Texas where Nakia was caring for her relative’s children during their mother’s trip to Indiana.
Authorities were alerted by the children’s mother, who had returned to Indiana and left her kids in Nakia’s care. Upon returning home, the mother learned from her children that Nakia had been attempting to baptize them in the bathtub, submerging them underwater until they gasped for air.
Court records reveal that Nakia was responsible for supervising the children while their mother was away. Investigators uncovered that she allegedly tried to perform a baptism on the children, which tragically led to the drowning of the 4-year-old girl, Klover.
The victim’s siblings, who witnessed the incident, provided distressing accounts to law enforcement. They stated that Nakia instructed all the children to enter the bathtub for baptism. During this process, Klover was held underwater, resulting in her drowning. The siblings also reported that Nakia threatened them with eternal punishment if they revealed what occurred, instilling fear to maintain their silence.
One sibling recounted that Nakia applied what she referred to as “blessing oil” on Klover before submerging her. The child struggled, trying to claw at Nakia’s hands and pull her hair to escape. Another sibling noted that Nakia pressed down on Klover’s chest, preventing her from surfacing. When one of the other children attempted to help, Nakia allegedly pushed them away.
Investigators learned that Nakia had spoken about “cleansing their souls” and claimed to have received a vision from God instructing her to carry out the baptism. One sibling also mentioned that Nakia warned them of “burning in Hell” if they resisted or spoke about the incident.
The surviving sister informed authorities that Nakia held Klover underwater until she bled and also tried to drown her. The brother, who was present during the incident, described witnessing Klover struggle and attempting to pull Nakia’s hair. When he tried to intervene, Nakia reportedly forced Klover back under the water.
The investigation was initiated in September 2023 after emergency responders were called due to a report of an unresponsive child with foam around her mouth. Despite attempts to revive Klover, she was declared dead at the scene. Initially, Nakia claimed she had bathed the children the night before and found Klover unresponsive the next morning. However, discrepancies in her story and corroborating testimonies from the siblings raised suspicions of foul play.
Following a thorough investigation, which included witness interviews and an autopsy, Nakia was arrested in December 2024. She was extradited to Texas, where she faces formal charges of capital murder for the death of a child under 10 years old. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 20, 2025.
The children’s mother had trusted Nakia with their care while she was away but later expressed concerns about Nakia’s unusual behavior and erratic remarks about God.
As the legal proceedings unfold, experts note that the capital murder charge highlights the seriousness of the allegations against Nakia. If found guilty, she could face severe penalties under Texas law. This tragic case emphasizes the vital responsibility caregivers hold and the dire consequences when that trust is betrayed, serving as a poignant reminder of children’s vulnerabilities and the necessity of safeguarding their well-being in all environments.
