Death penalty waived for mom accused in starvation murder of 7-year-old who weighed 7lbs

A Fort Lauderdale mother charged with murder in the starvation death of her 7-year-old son, who was found weighing only seven pounds when pronounced dead on Christmas Day, appeared in court on Thursday alongside some of the other five individuals charged in the boy’s death.

Michelle Doe was arrested last month on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter of a child, aggravated child abuse, and two counts of child neglect in connection with her son, Deonte Atwell’s death.

In court, prosecutors announced that they would not pursue the death penalty against Doe or the other individuals charged with murder. The Broward State Attorney’s Office noted that Atwell had been diagnosed with thoracic spina bifida and hydrocephalus, required a breathing tube and feeding tube, and needed continuous skilled nursing care.

However, authorities reported that family members and two home health care workers appeared to have ceased providing necessary services, leading to severe abuse and ultimately his death. Police stated that Atwell may have suffered for months before being found and pronounced dead on December 25, 2023. He had celebrated his seventh birthday just two days earlier, on December 23, though prosecutors indicated it seemed he may have been dead “for quite some time.”