A Detroit mother, Shaniqua Lashauntae Baskins, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse after a tragic car crash on I-75 resulted in the death of her 4-year-old son. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on May 6 when Baskins' vehicle, with faulty brakes, crossed over the median and collided with another car, leading to the ejection and subsequent death of her young son, CBS News Detroit reports.
Following the crash, Baskins was subjected to a field sobriety test which she failed, although her blood alcohol content after the crash has not been disclosed yet, as FOX 2 Detroit indicates, this could determine further charges. The event shook Baskins to the core, as she conveyed her distress by saying, "I’m (shaken) up, I have my child on the ground – of course I can’t walk a straight line," and defended her sobriety by stating, "Anybody that know Shaniqua, they know Shaniqua doesn’t drink at all," FOX 2 Detroit reports.
After her arraignment, a Wayne County judge set Baskins' bond at $20,000. She is scheduled for a bond redetermination hearing on November 18, followed by a probable cause conference on November 25, and a preliminary examination on December 2, according to a timeline laid out by ClickOnDetroit. In the aftermath of this event, Baskins' 6-year-old daughter was taken into custody by Child Protective Services.
Defense attorney Todd Perkins, although not involved in the case, commented on the charges remarking, "I think it’s a lot with a first degree child abuse," and expressing his bewilderment added, "I’m at a loss for words. I mean when is a lawyer at a loss for words?" suggesting an opinion that Baskins may have been overcharged and predicting potential leniency in the forthcoming bond redetermination hearing, as he communicated hopes for a personal bond and release for Baskins while the case unfolds, FOX 2 Detroit records.
