In a heartbreaking case that has rocked a Michigan community, 31-year-old I. Harris has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the brutal killing of a nonverbal, autistic 3-year-old girl, Harmoni H., who was entrusted to her care.
The tragic incident, which took place in March 2024, has left the child’s family and the broader community in deep shock and grief.
A Betrayal of Trust Turns Fatal
Harris, once a close friend of Harmoni’s mother, was babysitting the toddler on March 17, 2024. Harmoni’s mother, who described Harris as someone she once trusted “wholeheartedly,” had no reason to believe her child was in danger. But the night took a dark turn when Harmoni vomited on herself, reportedly frustrating Harris to the point of violence.
Instead of helping the child, Harris responded with horrifying cruelty. According to prosecutors, she admitted to pouring scalding water over Harmoni’s head and face and slamming her head against the side of the bathtub, which ultimately caused her death.
Details of the Abuse
Assistant Prosecutor J. Douglas stated that Harris locked Harmoni and her own 1-year-old child in a room while she smoked marijuana. Hours later, she returned to find that Harmoni had vomited again, leading to the deadly assault.
Harris later tried to cover up the incident. When Harmoni’s mother called to check on her daughter during the night, Harris falsely claimed the child had simply fallen down the stairs and was fine. But by the next morning, when the mother arrived to pick up Harmoni, she found her unresponsive and already dead in bed.
Harmoni was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The cause of death was confirmed as blunt force trauma, consistent with her head being violently struck.
Legal Action and Charges
Initially charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse, Harris pleaded guilty to second-degree murder as part of a plea deal. This agreement dismisses the more severe charges but still leaves Harris facing a potential life sentence. Her sentencing is scheduled for May 29, 2025.
Captain L. Carter of the Special Victims Unit described the crime scene as one of the most disturbing she had ever seen. “The child was deceased when I arrived. Very disturbing details,” she said.
A Mother’s Grief
Harmoni’s mother spoke out publicly about the deep betrayal she feels. She described her daughter as a gentle, autistic, nonverbal child who relied heavily on others for care.
She never imagined that someone she trusted like family could be capable of such violence. “She was gone. She was already dead from the moment I got there,” the grieving mother said.