sports
South Florida mother accused of drowning toddler found not guilty "by reason of insanity," judge finds
By Chelsea Jones at CBS4 Miami
· June 24, 2026
· 3 min read
A Miami -Dade judge has found a South Florida mother not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of her 15-month-old daughter, siding with defense attorneys who argued she was suffering from a COVID-related psychotic break at the time of the killing.The ruling came Tuesday after a two-day bench tri
Key takeaway The ruling came Tuesday after a two-day bench trial for Precious Bland, who admitted to drowning her baby daughter in a bathtub and attacking her husband and oldest child in 2021.
Why this matters in The Miami
The not guilty by reason of insanity verdict in the Precious Bland case raises questions about the intersection of mental health and the justice system in Miami-Dade County. As the county grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, it is clear that the community will be watching to see how Bland is treated and supported in the coming months. The fact that Bland's defense team successfully argued that she was experiencing a COVID-related psychotic break at the time of the killing highlights the need for increased awareness and resources for those struggling with mental health issues in the wake of the pandemic. In a county with a diverse population like Miami-Dade, where many residents may face barriers to accessing mental health care, this case underscores the importance of ensuring that all individuals have access to the support and services they need to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: sports ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Miami-Dade judge has found a South Florida mother not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of her 15-month-old daughter, siding with defense attorneys who argued she was suffering from a COVID-related psychotic break at the time of the killing.The ruling came Tuesday after a two-day bench tri
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Chelsea Jones at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more sports coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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