Inset: Tamisha Cheyniece Drake (Angelina County/KFDM). Background: Davis Memorial Gardens in Cedar Grove, Texas (Google Maps).
33-year-old Tamisha Cheyniece Drake has been taken into custody in Angelina County, situated in eastern Texas, approximately 130 miles northeast of Houston. According to a report by local Fox affiliate KFDM, authorities from the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office responded on Thursday to a call regarding a disturbed grave at Davis Memorial Gardens in the Cedar Grove vicinity. Upon arrival, they found that a newborn’s grave had been exhumed.
KFDM’s report indicates that both the child’s remains and the burial container were missing from the site.
The investigation eventually pointed to Drake, who reportedly confessed to officers that she had unearthed her infant’s grave. She explained that her baby, who passed away during childbirth in February, had been buried there. Drake then led officials to an abandoned driveway where the remains could be found.
According to the report, the infant was still inside the original burial container when discovered.
The newborn was still inside the container she was buried in, KFDM reported.
Jail records show that Drake has been charged with felony abuse of a corpse. The charge is a state jail felony in the Lone Star State, the lowest level of felony possible. It carries a potential sentence of 180 days to two years behind bars.
Angelina County Jail records indicate that Drake remained in custody as of Sunday. Information about a future court date was not immediately available.
