Leanna Norris: Mom Accused Of Drugging, Suffocating Two-Year-Old Daughter Convicted

Leanna Norris, a 25-year-old woman from Stetson, Maine, has been convicted for murdering her own two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. According to NECN, Norris was found guilty of cold-blooded murder by a Superior Court judge on Monday. The court rejected an insanity plea by Leanna, who used it as a last resort to escape conviction. Due to be sentenced in the weeks to come, Norris could face life imprisonment — or a minimum of 25 years in prison — for her crime.

Leanna’s daughter, Loh Melody Grenda, was murdered last year on June 23 by her own mother. Norris later admitted her guilt to investigators and told them how she killed her. According to Bangor Daily News, Melody was given a heavy dose of an antihistamine, three times the normal dosage. Leanna then put a duct tape over her daughters mouth and nose so she couldn’t breathe. Leanna then put a blanket atop Melody’s face and smothered her till she was dead. According to Norris, she used the blanket because she didn’t want to see her daughter die. After killing Melody, Leanna attempted suicide by taking 200 Advil pills — the same medicine that she had given to Melody. Before attempting suicide, she put the lifeless body of her child inside her car.

Following the trial, Justice Ann Murray rejected her insanity plea and concluded that Leanna knew right from wrong. Norris’ attorney Martha Harris claimed that her client committed the act during a mental breakdown after her relationship with the child’s father fell apart. The court rejected this claim — but accepted the fact that Leanna did suffer from depression. Earlier, Leanna had told investigators that she killed her daughter because she did not want her to live with her father or with another mother.

At the jury-waived trial at the Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor, the court concluded that “Ms. Norris knew right from wrong and had the ability to apply her knowledge of right from wrong to the action she took when killing Loh.” Justice Ann Murray added the following.

“While Ms. Norris’ judgment was impaired, all of the facts set forth above reflect the behavior and actions of someone who has a perception and understanding of reality that is not grossly or demonstrably impaired.”

Leanna Norris is due for sentencing soon and is is expected that she would at lest spend 25 years in jail — if not a life sentence. She is among many other disgraced mothers who have had the heart to kill their own children.

[Image via Gabor Degre / BDN]