Tatiana Emerson’s mother indicted; Mother’s boyfriend still facing homicide charge

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) – The mother of a little girl who died as a result of reported child abuse is now in jail.

According to Hamilton County jail officials, Melanie Emerson was charged with one count of aggravated child endangerment.

Melanie’s boyfriend Rhasean Lowry,34, is already in jail awaiting trail for criminal homicide after police said he killed Melanie’s 3-year old daughter Tatiana Emerson.

 

The little girl died at Children’s Hospital.

Doctors at Children’s Hospital told investigators the 3-year old  died from blunt force trauma consistent with being struck numerous times.

That conclusion contradicted a statement by Lowry who told police the girl fell down a flight of stairs at a Chattanooga motel.

Back in August of 2014, WDEF talked with Emerson’s godmother, Shalon Hurst who said there was a two year period when Tatiana and her 5-year old brother did not live with their mother because they said Ms. Emerson was hardly at home. At some point the children rejoined their mother.

"We’re so heart broken because the kids just went back to their mother," Hurst said

WDEF also spoke to other relatives and friends who watched over Tatiana and her brother.

"That hurt me so. She should have let me keep those children because I had them. She had sent for them and I don’t understand why she sent for them," said their previous caretaker Reva Malone.

Family and friends of the victim also told WDEF that the signs of abuse were always present but very little was done to protect the children.

"I have pictures to show that Tatiana’s face; her whole face was messed up. How could you miss that? I have pictures of bruises on her feet. I don’t see how a mother can miss that," said Hurst.

Hurst also recalled another incident that raised red flags.

"Melanie Emerson called me one day and wanted me to come get the kids from her home because Rhasean had punched a hole in her kids bedroom door."

Very little information has been shed about the mom, Melanie Emerson until family and friends found out her daughter died from her injuries. Tatiana’s aunt, Brittany Poteet revealed why Emerson may have relied on Lowry to watch her kids at night while she worked.

"She’s a prostitute. She sells herself. On august 23rd she posted an add on one of the websites with semi-nude photos and said anyone was welcome of all races and ages," Poteet said.

WDEF spoke to a manager at the motel where Emerson, her two children and Lowry were staying. The manager said she only saw Ms. Emerson during the day with her kids but never saw her at night. She also said she didn’t think Emerson had an actual job.

The day after Tatiana Emerson was admitted into the hospital, Her mother reportedly checked out the motel.