Eleven years after her son's death, Florida mother faces murder charges

In 2013, a 4-year-old boy was found dead in his South Florida apartment. More than 10 years later, his mother was arrested for murder, NBC 6 reports. On June 10, 2013, 911 dispatchers received a series of calls from Destene Simmons, a Coral Springs mother. Just before 11:30 a.m., the mother asked 911 dispatchers to send someone to her address, but hung up when asked what was going on. NBC 6 says the call could not be traced because it was made from a cell phone, but the mother called back 16 minutes later. This time, Simmons gave the dispatcher her address on NW 28th Drive, but hung up before announcing the emergency.After officers arrived at the apartment, another 911 call was made, but this one ended with Simmons hanging up again.Officers entered the apartment, where they found 4-year-old Antwan Hope dead.According to NBC 6, Simmons was questioned but later released. After her son's death, the woman was arrested for driving without a license, but no charges were filed in connection with Hope's death. At the time of the child's death, the boy's father had custody of him, police said. The man filed two lawsuits, NBC 6 reports, including one claiming Simmons tried to smother the boy with a pillow two years before his death and another claiming the boy was murdered by his mother or died as a result of her negligence. According to court records obtained by NBC 6, both lawsuits were dismissed. Now, more than 10 years later, Simmons has been charged with premeditated murder and aggravated child abuse. The Broward County Sheriff's Office arrested the woman last Friday. Simmons was in court this weekend. She remains in jail without bail on the murder charge but on $25,000 bail on the aggravated child abuse charge. According to the judge, Simmons must undergo a psychiatric evaluation.