Jefferson City child murder suspect deemed competent to stand trial

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman accused of killing a 4-year-old boy in 2018 has been deemed competent to stand trial.

Quatavia Givens, 33, was charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and abandoning a corpse in relation to the death of 4-year-old Darnell Gray in 2018. She is listed on the Cole County Jail online roster, but was admitted to Fulton State Hospital last year.

Court documents say that Givens allegedly struck and smothered Gray, resulting in his death.

A state psychologist last week argued in court that Givens is competent to stand trial. She was deemed incompetent in 2023.

Judge William Hickle made a decision on Tuesday that Givens is mentally fit to proceed and criminal proceedings will resume. Givens will remain in the Department of Mental Health’s custody.