Princess Lee White, a 31-year-old African American woman, passed away on February 25, 2018, in Dallas, Texas. Her death was a tragic event that led to significant legal proceedings and investigations. Princess White was involved in a high-profile case where she was sentenced to life in prison for the starvation death of her seven-month-old son, Kary Sharpe, in 2014.
The case drew considerable attention due to the horrific nature of the crime and the subsequent legal battles.
Princess White had pleaded guilty to a charge of injury to a child for the death of her son. The infant was found unconscious by his biological grandmother and later died at the hospital. The child abuse prosecutor described the condition of the infant as "horrific," noting that every bone in his body was visible through his skin, and he had no muscle tone. White had testified that raising three children was a struggle for her, and she had supportive extended family who would have helped her if she had asked. However, she failed to take advantage of the support available to her and lied when confronted about the situation.
During the investigation, it was revealed that White had an open CPS case but did not participate in the services offered to her. She also failed to take the infant to the WIC office for examination, resulting in the loss of her WIC benefits. The court records showed that the infant had not been taken for his six-month checkup, and hospital records indicated that White had brought the child to the emergency room in July 2014, stating that the infant had not taken a bottle since the previous day and would sometimes throw up after taking a bottle. The child weighed only seven pounds at the time of his death, just a few ounces more than his birth weight.
In sentencing White, District Judge Theresa Hawthorne expressed her disgust at the way White had allowed her own child to suffer. The judge also chastised several of White's relatives, including her mother, who were living in the apartment, for doing nothing to stop the child from starving to death. The case highlighted the severe consequences of neglect and the importance of taking advantage of available support systems to prevent such tragedies.
Princess Lee White's death in 2018 marked the end of a life marred by legal troubles and personal struggles. Her case serves as a reminder of the critical need for vigilance and intervention in cases of child abuse and neglect. The legal proceedings and investigations surrounding her death and the death of her son continue to be a point of reflection for the community and the justice system.
