Mother accused of starving 7-year-old to death pleads not guilty

A Fort Lauderdale mother accused of murdering her 7-year-old son who starved to death – the son weighed just seven pounds when he was pronounced dead on Christmas Day – was back in court Monday along with two of the five other people charged in connection with the boy's death.

Michelle Doe pleaded not guilty during her court appearance on Monday. She had previously been ordered held without bail and is due back in court on October 31.

Doe, 37, was arrested last week on charges including first-degree murder, manslaughter of a child, aggravated child abuse and two counts of child neglect in connection with the death of her son, Deonte Atwell.

The Broward State Attorney's Office said Atwell has been diagnosed with thoracic spina bifida and hydrocephalus, is on a ventilator and feeding tube, and requires around-the-clock professional care.

Fort Lauderdale Police

Deonte Atwell

However, authorities said family members and two staff members at a home care facility apparently stopped caring for him, leading to severe abuse and ultimately his death.

Police said Atwell may have suffered for months before he was found and pronounced dead on Dec. 25, 2023. Atwell had turned seven just two days earlier, on Dec. 23, but prosecutors said it appeared he may have been dead “for quite some time.”

Prosecutors said Atwell had been starving for long periods and was terribly malnourished and neglected. At his death he weighed just three kilograms and had bones poking through his skin.

Four other people were arrested in connection with Atwell's death, including his brother, 21-year-old Tyreck Irvin, and his grandfather, 70-year-old James Graham.

Michelle Doe, Tyreck Irvin, James Graham

Irvin is also charged with first-degree murder, aggravated murder of a child, aggravated child abuse and two counts of child neglect, while Graham is charged with aggravated murder of a child, child neglect and failure to report child abuse.

Irvin also appeared in court on Monday, where it was announced that a new defense attorney would have to be assigned to his case.

The owner of the home care service, 47-year-old Mirlande Moltimer Ameda, is charged with first-degree murder, manslaughter of a child, Medicaid fraud and child neglect.

Ameda also appeared in court on Monday and also pleaded not guilty. Her lawyer said he is trying to get her released from prison on bail.

“This is a jury trial and the state has requested pretrial detention. They want her to remain in custody until trial and I am requesting her release,” said attorney Bruce Lehr.

Atwell's nurse, 33-year-old Cassandre Lassegue, faces charges of first-degree murder, manslaughter of a child, third-degree first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and Medicaid fraud.