Ohio mother accused of decapitating baby held on $500K bail

CINCINNATI (AP) — An Ohio mother accused of decapitating her 3-month-old daughter is in jail with bail set at $500,000.

Bail was set today for Deasia Watkins, who was charged with aggravated murder after her daughter was found decapitated Monday on a kitchen counter in the Cincinnati home of an aunt who was caring for the baby.

A handcuffed Watkins didn't speak at the hearing in Hamilton County Municipal Court. Judge Melissa Powers also scheduled March 26 as the date for Watkins to go before a grand jury, which would decide on any indictment. Atty. Michael Joseph Trapp, who is representing Watkins, said he had no immediate comment. Watkins, who had been hospitalized since she was taken into custody Monday, has since been transferred to the county jail.

Watkins was considered a threat to her child and had been "acting crazy" and talking about demons when a juvenile court judge in March placed the baby in the custody of Hamilton County Job and Family Services, according to court documents. Social workers later placed the baby in the temporary care of an aunt, who authorities say was warned to keep the mother away from the child unless social workers were present.

Police responding to a 911 call on Monday found the baby decapitated and stabbed multiple times with a large chef's knife. She also had a fractured arm, and the knife had been placed in her hand, authorities said.