In September of 2014, three-year-old Jamila Smith, an African American girl, was brought to a Detroit hospital by her mother, Jasmine Gordon, and her mother's boyfriend, Clifford Thomas. The couple claimed that the young girl had sustained a head injury after running into a wall and subsequently falling unconscious. However, the medical evidence told a much grimmer story. Jamila was found to have suffered multiple blunt force injuries, including severe trauma to her head and chest, which were inconsistent with the couple's explanation. Tragically, Jamila succumbed to her injuries, and her death was officially ruled a homicide.
The investigation into Jamila's death quickly unraveled the fabricated story provided by Gordon and Thomas. It was determined that the little girl had been the victim of physical abuse at the hands of Thomas. Neighbors reported that the couple had only recently moved into their home. It was also revealed that Child Protective Services had been in contact with the family just a week prior to Jamila's death, and at that time, she was reported to be in good health. Both Jasmine Gordon and Clifford Thomas were arrested in connection with the death of the young child.
In the subsequent legal proceedings, both Jasmine Gordon and Clifford Thomas were convicted of involuntary manslaughter. During the sentencing hearing in August 2015, a tense and emotional scene unfolded in the courtroom. As Jamila's father, Dwayne Smith, was preparing to give his victim impact statement, he lunged at Clifford Thomas, punching him in the head before court deputies could intervene. Smith was not charged for the courtroom assault. Jasmine Gordon was sentenced to a term of seven to fifteen years for involuntary manslaughter and an additional fourteen to twenty-five years for child abuse. Clifford Thomas received a sentence of approximately six to fifteen years for his role in Jamila's death and an additional one to two years for resisting and obstructing a police officer.
