Girl dies after 325-pound adult sat on her as punishment

A 9-year-old Florida girl died after her 325-pound cousin reportedly sat on her as a punishment for acting "out of control."

Dericka Lindsay, of Pensacola, went into cardiac arrest Saturday after she complained she couldn't breath when her 64-year-old cousin Veronica Green Posey sat on her, the Pensacola News Journal reported.

Paramedics responded to the scene and the 9-year-old girl was rushed to Baptist Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Posey told deputies that she sat on the girl in an armchair to discipline her for "being out of control."

When she stood up, she discovered the girl was unresponsive and started CPR, according to the Pensacola News Journal.

Posey, who told officers she weighed 325 pounds, was arrested and charged with homicide and cruelty toward a child.

Dericka's parents were also charged following the incident. Grace Smith, 69, and James Smith, 62, face charges of child neglect for failing to report the abuse. Additionally, Grace Smith was charged with cruelty toward a child.

All three were taken into custody at Escambia County Jail.

Posey was released Monday on $125,000 bond, while Grace and James Smith remained in jail, according to court records.

Florida Department of Children and Families said the agency is investigating Dericka's death.

"Dericka's death is appalling and DCF will continue coordinating with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office to hold anyone responsible for her death accountable," Secretary Mike Carroll said in a statement. "As the family has a prior interaction with the child welfare system, a thorough quality assurance review will be conducted to review all prior interactions this family has had with the child welfare system."

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