Loved ones speak out after toddler was killed in Maplewood

One week after the homicide of a toddler in Maplewood, loved ones are speaking out to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

Police called it the ‘most disturbing crime’ they have ever investigated, noting 17-month-old Jamari Hne had multiple significant injuries.

Her mother’s boyfriend, Terrance Leslie, was arrested on murder charges and is being held on $2 million bond.

According to the criminal complaint, Leslie is suspected of abusing the toddler and recording the abuse on his cell phone in the hours leading up to her death.

Jamari’s godmother, Nasha Dodd, said she is still in disbelief.

“I treated her as if she was my own. She was very warm and sweet and bubbly, such a happy little girl,” Dodd said. “I can’t wrap my head around it at all.”

Dodd said Jamari had a larger than life personality and brought so much joy to those who knew her.

“I was with her at least 50 to 75% of the time,” Dodd said. “She was just chilling, dancing, crawling on this couch a month ago. Now she’s gone, you know, and I’m doing an interview regarding her death. It just doesn’t seem real at all.”

Court documents reveal the toddler was found with burns, bruises, broken bones, signs of a brain injury and sexual abuse.

Investigators said the child was alone in the apartment with Leslie while her mother was at work.

They said the child’s mother is not a suspect at this time.

Dodd said she only met Leslie a few times since he started dating Jamari’s mother a few months ago.

“He was always so quiet, so I would’ve never suspected that. I knew something was off about him but nothing that could compare to him murdering Jamari,” Dodd said.

Dodd shared a video with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS of a small candlelight vigil that was held in Jamari’s honor, where friends and family released pink and white balloons in memory of the toddler.

“It has been pretty hard these last couple days,” Dodd said. “I keep thinking about, what if? What if this didn’t occur? I’m not going to be able to take her to kindergarten or have her meet my future kids.”

Now instead of dreaming about Jamari’s future, Dodd said she is planning her funeral.

She created a GoFundMe page to raise money for a celebration of life following Jamari’s memorial service. If you would like to donate to the fund, click here.

“Godmommy loves you and you’re going to get the justice you deserve. You did not deserve what happened to you,” Dodd said.

Leslie is due back in court in December.