Judge Finds Mother Accused of Child’s Death Incompetent

By Amna Syed [former] - December 21, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On Dec. 20, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin ruled that 27-year-old homicide defendant Anthya Barnett is currently incompetent to stand trial and a danger to herself and others. 

Barnett is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree arson and first-degree child abuse resulting in the death of a child under the age of 13 in connection with an incident on April 8, 2022.

Judge Rasin explained that she had reports the defendant was having “intractable delusions.” However, she also stated Barnett’s understanding has improved and there may be adjustments to her medication in the future. 

Barnett’s attorney, Sharon Bogins, explained to the judge that the defendant would like to apply for a not criminally responsible plea. Judge Rasin responded that she would not make a competency finding for the defendant at this time. 

Barnett is scheduled for an annual mental review hearing on June 19, 2024. 

Documents from the District Court of Maryland state that on April 8, 2022, Baltimore Police Department officers were dispatched to a residence on the  4700 block of Vancouver Road of a fatal fire with a child found deceased under a mattress in the basement. 

Barnett and her three children were observed on video footage leaving their house around the time of the fire in a U-Haul truck. Following her arrest, the defendant confessed to murdering the 3-year-old child My’Royal Bennett because she thought that the baby was unconscious and proceeded to light the basement on fire.