May 23, 2022 – 3:24 p.m.
According to the criminal complaint, Milwaukee police were dispatched to a home near 37th and Green Tree on Wednesday, May 11 in response to a 5-year-old child who was unresponsive and not breathing. Firefighters attempted lifesaving measures, but the child, identified as Kayden Jones, was pronounced deceased.
Investigators conducted an interview of the defendant, Kanesha Jones. She said Kayden went to school on May 11 — and returned home around 2:30 p.m. The defendant stated Kayden “appeared exhausted, and asked Kanesha if he could take a nap,” the complaint says. The boy went to Kanesha Jones’ bedroom. He woke up around 6:30 p.m. and came into the living room.
After Kayden awakened, the complaint says Kanesha went grocery shopping. She returned between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. — and noticed Kayden was asleep on her bed. The complaint says after putting the groceries away, the defendant went to wake up Kayden.
At that time, she noticed Kayden “was not breathing and his lips were blue. Kanesha checked for a pulse and could not locate one. Kanesha Jones subsequently called 911,” the complaint says.
Officers who arrived on the scene “observed suspected marijuana in plain view,” the complaint says. Jones admitted to having marijuana in a dresser drawer and smoking it from time to time. When asked about drugs in the home, the complaint says Jones “gave consent for police to search her residence.”
Jones made her initial appearance in Milwaukee County court on Saturday, May 21. Cash bond was set at $15,000. Jones is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on May 31.
– and she faces the following criminal counts:
- Neglecting a child-consequence is death
- Neglecting a child-specified hard did not occur and child under 6 years of age
- Bail jumping (felony)
