Girl drowned in Hillsborough River laid to rest

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Grey skies matched the somber spirit of family and friends attending the funeral for four-year-old Je'Hyrah Daniels Saturday.

Police say the little girl drowned in the Hillsborough River last week at the hands of her mother, ShaKayla Denson.

"The little girl was just a beautiful kid, that loved her mom and her mom really loved her," said Denson's cousin, Ellis Daniley.

Despite that, he says ShaKayla is emotionally sick.

"She wasn't in her right mind, she wasn't in her right mind, and she doesn't even realize what happened," Daniley said.

In a pre-trial hearing this week, the 26-year-old mother was denied bond. She was seen wiping away tears in the courtroom and mouthing the words, "I love you" to a family member.

Daniley says the incident has been unbelievable to the family.

"She was a good girl. Her mom and the family has a lot of faith in God," Daniley said. "I really don't have any words for it."

Family friend Erica Lucas says she's trying to stay strong for the family.

"I cried for like a whole week," Lucas said. "I still can't stop but I'm trying to hold up for them and be here for them."

Denson faces first-degree murder charges. The Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office has yet to decide whether it will seek the death penalty.