LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The mom of a 3-year-old lady stabbed to demise recognized her daughter as Journei Ross. The kid died Wednesday after she was allegedly stabbed a number of instances by her babysitter, Marketta Phillips, who made her first court docket look Thursday morning.
Journei Ross, 3, was stabbed to demise on March 26, 2025. Her babysitter, Marketta Phillips is going through a homicide cost. (Credit score: Household)
Phalan Whitson and Jeremy Ross, Journie’s father, sat via the transient listening to as Phillips, 41, acknowledged the open homicide cost she is going through within the kid’s demise. Choose Suzan Bacum mentioned Phillips could be held with out bail.
Jeremy Ross, the daddy of 3-year-old Journie Ross, speaks out after stabbing suspect Marketta Phillips’ court docket look. (KLAS)
Ross mentioned he and Phillips had been dwelling collectively for a few yr however he by no means had a sign of an issue. “I didn’t know she was a crazy case,” Ross mentioned.
He mentioned when he arrived dwelling after work round 3:30 a.m., he noticed Phillips sitting within the kitchen and seen blood on her.
“She was just out of it or something. I walked into the room and I seen my baby girl …. on the bed.” He referred to as 911 and commenced chest compressions.
Marketta Phillips makes an preliminary look in Las Vegas Justice Courtroom on March 27, 2025. She faces a homicide cost within the stabbing demise of a 3-year-old lady. (KLAS)
Whitson, who shares custody together with her daughter’s father, mentioned it was the primary time she had seen the babysitter. She mentioned she final noticed her daughter when Ross picked her up on Monday.
“She took my baby,” Whitson tearfully mentioned following the court docket listening to. “I didn’t know this woman. Today was literally the first day I saw this woman.”
Whitson mentioned she realized her daughter was stabbed 10 instances.
Phalan Whitson, the mom of 3-year-old Journei Ross, who was stabbed to demise by her babysitter, talks with 8 Information Now. (KLAS)
She mentioned her daughter was non-verbal and “on the spectrum” however was a vibrant baby who preferred to sing.
“She could light up a room wherever she was at,” she mentioned. “I deserve justice.” Journie would have turned 4 in July.
“She didn’t deserve none of this,” Ross mentioned.
Phillips’ subsequent court docket listening to is scheduled for April 1, 2025.
