Toddler's tragic death after being pushed on swing for 44 hours by his own mum

Romechia Simms, 25, pushed three-year-old Ji'Aire for 44 hours (Image: CCSO/FACEBOOK)

A mother continuously pushed her tiny son on a swing for more than two days, leading to his tragic death.

Romechia Simms was merely 24 when her schizophrenia compelled her to this fatal act, propelling the lifeless body of her son, Ji'Aire Donnell Lee, who had perished from dehydration and hypothermia, backwards and forwards on the swing for 44 hours.

Officers discovered Ji'Aire was still breathing when initially placed on the swing, but passed away two days afterwards. They were summoned to the harrowing scene at La Plata park, South Maryland, in 2015 by a worried member of the public.

The Charles County Sheriff's Office disclosed that their enquiries revealed Simms had been pushing him on the swing since they arrived at the park 44 hours previously, at approximately 11.15am on May 2. The temperature had dropped to 10C overnight.

Spokeswoman Diane Richardson confirmed a post-mortem examination found the toddler died of dehydration and hypothermia, and his death had been classified as a homicide, reports <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/sick-mum-pushed-son-swing-35774686" rel="Follow" target="_self">the Mirror</a>.

The boy died of dehydration and hypothermia (Image: Facebook)

Simms had a background of mental health difficulties and had previously experienced a mental breakdown, prompting her mother to appeal for compassion.

Vontasha Simms posted a photograph of Ji'Aire on Facebook, declaring she was founding a charity in his honour to highlight "the desperate needs of those who are mentally ill". "There is a need that must be filled," she wrote.

"We embrace those that may have cancer, sickle cell anaemia, high blood pressure, even those that may suffer from substance abuse.

"It does take a village to raise a child. And yes, we are our brothers' and sisters' keepers. Each and every life has meaning and a purpose. Those that suffer from mental illness may live a very lonely and unproductive life if they don't receive the resources, support and love that is needed.

"It could be a mother, father, sister, brother, a child, a family member or yourself. Mental illness touches every family in this country. Let's not shun them or look down upon them because it could be you."

In 2016, Simms avoided prison and was ordered by a Maryland judge to adhere to her medication regimen and seek psychiatric consultation as part of a court-sanctioned agreement, records from Maryland Courts reveal.

The young woman, aged 25, was facing serious allegations including involuntary manslaughter, first-degree child abuse, and child neglect resulting in death.

A court-appointed forensic psychologist presented evidence to a Charles County judge that Simms was battling schizophrenia, which rendered her not criminally responsible for her child's demise.

The prosecution conceded to an Alford plea – a situation where the defendant doesn't admit guilt but acknowledges there's enough evidence for a conviction.