Babysitter Sentenced to 37 Years for Death of 2-Year-Old in Cherokee County
A tragic case in Cherokee County has concluded with the sentencing of Phillissa Diallo, 44, who pleaded guilty to crimes connected to the death of 2-year-old Alyssa Rose Davis, a child she was babysitting. Diallo has been sentenced to 37 years in prison, with the first 21 years to be served behind bars.
Guilty Plea and Sentence
On May 11, the Cherokee County District Attorney announced that Diallo had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, second-degree cruelty to children, and concealing the death of another. The sentencing reflects the severity of her actions and the lasting impact on the victim’s family.
How the Incident Came to Light
The investigation began on December 14, 2022, when Diallo reportedly went to the police station and claimed that a child had died at her apartment. Officers responded immediately and discovered the mutilated body of Alyssa Rose Davis inside a storage container filled with a salt-like substance. The box had been hidden under other items inside a closet, according to the DA.
An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was an overdose of acetaminophen and diphenhydramine. Evidence showed that Diallo had been babysitting the child for more than two weeks and had left her alone for long periods. Home security footage also captured Diallo bringing bleach into the apartment, and forensic testing later confirmed that certain areas of the home had been cleaned with it.
Communication and Behaviour
During this period, Diallo had been in communication with the child’s mother, who reportedly did not know that Alyssa had died until law enforcement informed her. Diallo’s defense argued that she had been delusional at the time, but a behavioural health expert testified that she was not experiencing delusions when the death occurred.
Court Statements
In court, Alyssa’s mother expressed her heartbreak, describing how the child’s siblings miss her and how her death has left a permanent void in the family. Deputy Chief ADA Rachel Hines stated that Diallo demonstrated willful neglect instead of taking steps to ensure the child’s safety.
Hines added that Diallo then took “gruesome, unimaginable steps to conceal her death” and emphasised that Alyssa was not treated with the protection and dignity every child deserves.
