A Miami mother found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2021 drowning death of her one-year-old daughter tells NBC6 she is trying to rebuild her life after what she describes as a mental health crisis triggered by COVID-19.
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Precious Bland was acquitted this week by a Miami-Dade judge on aggravated manslaughter and attempted murder charges from the death of her 15-month-old daughter, as well as the stabbing of her husband and teenage daughter.
“I would not wish this upon anyone to have to go through something so tragic,” Bland told NBC6 Friday.
During the bench trial, Bland’s attorneys argued that the Navy veteran suffered a psychotic episode caused by COVID-19, leaving her unable to understand the nature of her actions. The defense presented testimony that Bland experienced hallucinations and believed she was being instructed to baptize her family members, who were also infected with the virus.
“That was my child,” Bland said. “As a mother, I am here to protect children and to love them and to give them the best. It’s what I did all my life with my children. COVID took that away from me in that moment.”
On the night of the incident in August 2021, police body camera video captured Bland making religious statements moments after authorities responded to the scene.
Judge Miguel de la O ultimately found Bland not guilty by reason of insanity.
Bland’s attorney, Larry Handfield, called the ruling the first successful COVID-related insanity defense in the country.
“This was COVID,” Handfield said. “It’s a woman who served our country for five years… living the American dream until COVID came. She didn’t ask for COVID.”
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The ruling has sparked criticism from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who has publicly called for Judge de la O’s impeachment.
“You have somebody drowning a baby and then a judge at a bench trial letting her off for insanity, and then she’s going to go right back into the public. This is wrong,” Uthmeier said during a news conference on Thursday.
A director with the Office of Government Liaison and Public Relations, 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida, told NBC6 they cannot comment on pending cases.
Despite the public scrutiny, Bland said she remains focused on her family, who she says continue to support her.
When asked how she wants people to see her today, Bland replied: “A loving mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter.”
Although Bland has been acquitted, her case is not over.
She is scheduled to return to court next month, where Judge de la O will determine the conditions of her treatment.
Bland said she is currently receiving therapy and treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs, but believes she does not need to be hospitalized.
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