Woman to be tried over girl found dead in storage

 

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By DAVID RUNK (AP) – Oct 13, 2009

FLINT, Mich. — A woman has been ordered to stand trial on charges including second-degree murder in the death of her adopted quadriplegic daughter whose body was found in a storage unit.

Judge Tracy Collier-Nix of 68th District Court made her ruling on Tuesday.

Forty-year-old Lorrie Thomas of Flint will stand trial on six charges.

Authorities believe 9-year-old Shylae (sha-LAY) Thomas had been dead for six weeks when her body was discovered inside a 33-gallon container in a storage unit on April 22.

An autopsy indicated the cause of death was neglect, malnourishment and dehydration.

Defense attorney Mark Clement denies that Thomas, who was Shylae’s aunt, starved the girl.

Thomas is set to be arraigned Monday in circuit court.