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District Attorney Larry Krasner charged 25-year-old Jendayi Mawusi with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and child endangerment related to the July death of three-year-old Hope Jones, In a statement released Tuesday, Oct. 11.
According to prosecutors, Mawusi had been assigned Jones' caseworker by the city Department of Human Services in November 2020. From then until the child's death on July 12, Mawusi was tasked with monitoring Jones' placement in the home of foster parent Kiana Casey, who is also charged with murder.
Mawusi was present at the home on the day of the child's death, leaving shortly before first responders arrived, the DA's office believes.
"Mawusi is alleged to have failed on multiple occasions to follow up on instructions given to Casey to seek medical care for Jones, and is also alleged to have failed to file incident reports after observing injuries incurred by Jones," the statement said.
As a mandated reporter, officials argue Mawusi was legally obligated to report signs of abuse in the home.
During Jones' autopsy, medical examiners found the child had suffered "numerous contusions and hemorrhages to her body." The wounds were found in different stages of healing, suggesting physical abuse over time, Krasner wrote.
Officials did not detail the basis for Mawusi's murder charge.
"There are numerous additional details regarding this investigation that cannot be shared publicly at this time," the DA said.
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