Court documents detail horrifying abuse 3-year-old girl endured prior to death

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (KCPQ) -- A Bellingham woman accused of shaking a 3-year-old child to death is now charged with her murder.

Kamee Dixon, 27, made her first court appearance on Friday for the death of Hazel Homan. Hazel was the daughter of Dixon's boyfriend.

Court documents claim the little girl suffered months of horrific abuse at the hands of Dixon leading up to her death.

Doctors say Hazel died of Shaken Baby Syndrome, according to the documents. Doctors also reportedly found bruising on her neck, chin, chest and groin area.

According to documents, Hazel had been living with her dad since June, and Dixon would take care of her while he was at work. After Hazel's death, the medical examiner found multiple broken bones that took place within the last six months.

Her finger, wrist, knee and hip bones all showed signs of breaks and healing.

Court documents also detail a lengthy record of abuse in the last several months, including an incident Aug. 3 when a family member who was babysitting Hazel noticed and photographed suspicious bruising on the toddler's chest and shoulders. The family member also noticed scarring from an apparent cigarette burn, according to the documents.

Later that month, a friend was at Dixon's house when Hazel wet herself. Dixon reportedly got angry and placed her in a cold shower. Dixon's friend told authorities Hazel was in the shower for a long period of time and "was in visible distress, shaking and clinched teeth," until the friend stepped in to prevent further injury, according to the documents.

According to court documents, Hazel was again seen by medical professionals later that month for an alkaline chemical burn to her eye.

Dixon was charged Monday with second-degree murder and homicide by abuse. Her bail was set at $1 million.