April
25, 2016
A
Richmond woman faces three felony charges in connection with the death of her
2-year-old stepdaughter.
Andrea P. Watkins-Simmons, 35, of the 1400 block of Clarkson Road, was indicted by a grand jury last week on charges of 1st-degree murder, felony murder and child neglect.
At approximately 3:53 p.m. on January 16, officers were called to a rental property in the 4900 block of Chamberlayne Avenue after a body was discovered in an unoccupied apartment. The victim was identified as Ariellisa Simmons, 2, of the 1400 block of Clarkson Road, who had previously been reported missing.
Watkins-Simmons
was initially arrested in New York in late January on a charge of felony
abduction. She has been fighting extradition since the time of her arrest,
but was brought back to Virginia on April 19.
Detectives
ask anyone with any information about this case to call Major Crimes
Detective Marshall Young at (804) 317-6272. Citizens can also call Crime
Stoppers at 780-1000, submit a tip online at www.7801000.com, or text Crime
Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. All
Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.
