Escambia Mom Convicted Of Manslaughter In Death Of 9-Year Old

May 11, 2019

An Escambia County woman has been convicted in the death of her adopted daughter.

Grace Smith, 71,  was found guilty of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse after Veronica Posey, her 325-pound niece Veronica Posey sat on 9-year old Derricka Lindsay as a form of punishment. Lindsay could not breathe and died.

A Escambia County jury took about 2.5 hours to return the guilty verdict against Smith. She will be sentenced in late May.

Posey was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Smith’s husband, James Smith, pleaded no contest to aggravated manslaughter and received 10 years in state prison.

Comments

2 Responses to “Escambia Mom Convicted Of Manslaughter In Death Of 9-Year Old”

  1. Matchbox on May 11th, 2019 2:10 pm

    Why would a 71 year old want and or need with a child….this is awful….may you rest in peace now angel…

  2. Fred on May 11th, 2019 8:31 am

    You know, I keep wondering how someone as demented as this could adopt a child. Other people seem to run a gauntlet of reviews and checks, but these animals got a child to abuse. And, they couldn’t have been a model family, Derricka wasn’t that old for the decay to have set in since her adoption. The whole adoption process for her should be investigated and those responsible for placing her should be held accountable for their negligence.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News