[laughter] Your daughter's blood is on you, Jasmine. You're going to have to live with that for the rest of your life. >> I was dead for you. >> You killed your daughter. >> And I was definitely didn't. [clears throat] lying. >> You're refusing to help. >> I'm not lying. >> You are lying, Jasmine. >> And for you to sit up here in my face and give me this picture and tell me that I'm less of a mother, how dare you? If you don't know what I've been through today, how dare you if you haven't seen what I see today? On July 21st, 2020, police were called to a Milwaukee home near North 105th and West Daphne Streets. 2-year-old Zamia Stevens had been shot and died while being taken to the hospital. Her mother, 22-year-old Jasmine Daniels, gave police more than one explanation, and a search of the basement found no gun. Hours later, detectives brought Jasmine into this room. Before they asked what happened, she asked for a lawyer. What detectives told her next would eventually change the legal course of the case. >> So, so I'm Jake and this is Dan. >> Hi. Nice to meet you. >> Nice to meet you. >> Sorry what's going on right now. All right. So, me and Dan want to talk to you about what's going on. Uh, you want You're >> You ever been arrested before? >> No. >> No. >> Uh-uh. >> First time? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, I want to get some background information on you. I want to get like your dad's name, uh, all the kids' names, your siblings, like brothers and sisters, and, uh, and all that. Uh, and then we want to talk to you about what happened. Okay? But every time someone gets arrested when they're in hard custody, we have to read them their rights. Okay? So before I start talking to you, I got to read you your rights real quick. Okay? You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to consult with the war before questioning and to have a lawyer present with you during questioning. If you cannot afford to hire a voter, one would be appointed to represent you at public expense before or during any question if you so wish. If you decide to answer question now without a word present, you have the right to stop the questioning and remain silent anytime you wish and the right to ask for and have award anytime you wish, including during the questioning. Do you understand each of these rights? It's got to be a yes or no. >> Yes. >> Okay. Do you want to talk to us now? No. >> What's it? >> No. >> You don't? >> No. >> Okay. Good. I will answer. >> What's that? >> I would like a lawyer in and it's processed. I will. >> So, you want an attorney, right? Uh, president returning the question. Don't take it. Question. >> What's that? >> Next question. >> So, you let me make I want to make sure it's correct. You don't want an attorney now. You don't want to know. You want want us to talk to you. Is that correct? I don't need a lawyer. I'm going step around first. Go get a lawyer. Here you go. Don't you happen to have one here now? >> No, we don't have one here right now. >> We can try and contact the public defenders office in the morning. >> How long would this take? >> Well, it's 3:00 a.m. right now. I mean, lawyers come in probably 9:00 or so. >> Oh, okay. I'll talk. I'm sorry. I'm telling I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> I just have to verify this. So, so you don't you do not want an attorney present. Is that correct? >> No. >> Okay. >> Okay. Okay. >> So, you want to talk now? You don't want an attorney present. I I have to make sure sure about this. All right. >> I don't want the attorney present. I will talk. >> Okay. Cuz we always call the public defender's office, too. So, but So, you you want to talk now? Is this correct that you're shaking your head? Yes. Is that a yes? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> Jasmine, um, how'd you do in school? >> A little I did okay. I was >> You were okay. What year did you graduate? >> Um, no. I only made it to 121 11th grade. >> Okay. >> I didn't go back cuz I met the first time. >> And where were you going? >> Um, she called Travis >> Travis Academy. Yeah. Traffice Academy. >> Okay. So, what kind of um classes did you take? >> Um I did uh it was I don't know exactly what it was or but I know I was diagnosed with Okay. And can you explain to us what kind of that means? >> Um, well, how it was explained to me is that it was um >> Okay. Did they ever say like maybe what level you're at when you were in when you were in high school? >> Uh, yeah. >> Okay. I was on when I was in high school. I was on the level level. Well, I think I was dealing with that for Okay. And how are you with like reading and writing and stuff? >> Reading. >> Okay. What what was maybe the stuff that was hard for you? >> Oh, what else? I'm not sure. This isn't Um, were you in classes that had a lot of kids or were you in classes that was and when the teachers taught up. Did you understand it or was it difficult to understand? >> Um, it most of it Yes. Sometimes it's it it was so when one was teaching something, the other one will go around and help us with with anything we needed help with with understanding it or anything. >> Okay. All right. And what kind of grades did you get? I was a good student. I don't have uh A's or B's. >> Okay. Just >> Okay, it's understandable. Um did you have to take any medication? >> Take any right now? Um, have you seen a any sort of uh doctor or medical professional or anything like that about anything? >> Okay. Um, are you supposed to are you currently injured or hurt? >> Okay. Do you uh need any medical attention or do you have to use the restroom at all? >> I'm not saying good. >> Oh, when's when's the last time you drank any alcohol? I don't normally drink. I used to. >> Okay. Have you drank in the last 24 hours? >> No. >> Okay. How about any illegal drugs in the last 24 hours? Smoke any marijuana or anything else? >> I smoke some marijuana. Yeah. >> Okay. And the reason I asked is we just have to determine if you're under the influence of anything. >> No, you're not high or drunk. Okay. Do you understand what we're both saying? >> Yes. >> Do you understand what you're saying? >> Yes. >> Hey, are there drugs besides marijuana? >> No. Um, you understand that you're at the Milwaukee Police Department building downtown, >> correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. You know, you're in custody. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Um, can you tell us what happened tonight? Oh, you are. It happened so quick. It happened so fast. So, so fast. Okay, I recently um I recently fought the fire on and I was going to get rid of and throw it away cuz I didn't know where it came from where nothing, you know, put myself in nothing or finding it. But before I even got the chance to get rid of the fire burn, I turned around. I only turned around minutes. Only two minutes. I didn't know that he was I didn't know he was tall enough to reach you. I just noted him. I heard the pain. I think I need to play. Last word. No. >> [laughter] [gasps] >> You want me? Don't be so stupid. Why did I leave the room with that? Why? Why? [clears throat] He makes it he thinking right now he he he only three he I know he did I know I know he didn't My baby. Oh, baby. You baby. Oh, baby. Do not be going be about to dramatize myself. You're about to be so dramatized. >> [clears throat] >> Where was the gun at? [snorts] >> Sure. Start there. [snorts] I felt at a park. >> What park? >> Um, [clears throat] what park was there? I'm not sure. I was late to the party. I had to pee. I went to the bishes. It was a big part. I don't know. I'm thinking um [snorts] um [clears throat] how long ago is this? >> A week. Okay. And what did the gun look like? >> It's gray and black. >> Gray. >> Yeah. >> Gray. Is it a revolver or is it a semi-automatic? Do you know the difference? A revolver is sort of like you got the cylinder that circle where it just sort of like this. So the bullets go here and a circle like that. It's not like that. So it's a semi-auto which is where it gets you you can pull the direction like that. So after finding the gun in the park, you took it home. >> Okay. >> Been there wasn't I mean honestly I have to be honest. I don't know too much about guns. So I really didn't know too much about it being one already up in the chamber. Mhm. >> I didn't know nothing about that. >> Okay. >> But when I had it, it was no but nothing in it. It was just empty. Like I said, it was never touched or nothing. I just hid it and I was throw it cuz I didn't know where it came from or >> m >> what it Nothing. So >> So did you ever look in the chamber? >> Never looked. Okay. Did it do you know what a clip is? Magazine. Okay. Did it have that in the gun? >> It did, but it didn't have no bullets in it. Okay. >> And in the um the whole the case holder didn't even go in there. They didn't have a bullet. >> So, I didn't, like I said, I don't know too much about gun. So, I didn't think nothing of it to look. >> Okay. And And where do you keep the gun at your house? But I usually keep it. I usually keep it under me. Not under me, under me. But like I used to keep it in the in the basement part in the top of the thing just so they won't get to it. >> Okay. And now where was it tonight? You have some pictures ready to leave. You throw it away. >> Well, you said it. So you want to be right there. She want to coach right there. Right. >> I said it. Yeah. He said it right there. >> She said it right there. >> Okay. Where I just circle? >> Yeah. Was there a cushion? >> Yeah. >> So, there was You said it on top the cushion. >> Okay. Okay. And now how far back on this? >> Where the front? Right there. >> Okay. Right on the front. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And uh when you when you put the gun there, where was your son at? >> Upstairs. Oh. Okay. And where was your daughter? >> Go. >> She was right. >> She was over here. standing right there. [clears throat] And he I remember up the stairs came down so quick and fast. Like >> I turned around turned around right here. just to try to clean and try to grab I forgot what I was trying to grab. I was trying to grab the but I hurry up. >> Okay. So, how old Ron you were saying like how tall >> short how about compared to this table. >> Okay. How about that? Okay. You move. You can go up and downstairs and walk or need to like teeter the furniture sometimes. Um sometimes some meeting her getting on the couch or going upstairs and stuff or fall stumbled over her own feet. >> Yeah. I went to pay a little more well show a little more attention. She needed help. So you you were about here and you're not sure exactly what you were doing, but you had left the gun there and then your son, what's your son's name? Huh? Okay. You're not sure came from, but grab this gun. Okay. >> He didn't know better. He probably thought it was a toy. You know, baby, he didn't know. >> So, what did you see do? >> I didn't see him do anything. I heard and I sent around um Scary. My baby right there. He got the crying. He got the [laughter] screaming. He got the yelling. I want to see my baby. >> And what happened with the gun? I don't know. >> Well, after the shots fired, where did the gun go? >> I don't know. Sorry. The gun I don't know. I don't I grabbed my I grabbed my side and got hit. >> Who else was down here besides you, James, and No, I need Who was upstairs? >> [snorts] >> Family member. >> What family member? >> Sister-in-law. >> Sister-in-law. I'm not going to come through nobody. I'm okay with that. >> You can verify your story. She was not down was in the house. She was nobody really know. Nobody can verify. They just heard yelling and screaming and they seen seen me with blood. Wait. When the gun was um on the couch here, do you know which way the barrel was pointing? >> No. But told you was going to happen. I blinked people out. It helps. Great. I blink. >> But when you put the gun down, which way was it point? down. >> Okay. All right. So, you had been holding the gun, right? And when you're holding it, what are you doing with it? >> I don't hold the gun. Then I wasn't supposed to have it. That's the point I'm [clears throat] making. >> Sure. But you have this gun and you put it on the couch. Okay. So prior before doing that, what are you doing with this gun? Protection. I thought that was protection even though I didn't have no bullets or nothing. Like I said, but I was going to get rid of it anyways cuz I found it. So I don't know nothing about this gun. I wouldn't know nothing about it. I wasn't going to put myself in that mix. >> Sure. >> At all. >> My question is, you put the gun down on the couch, right? >> Mhm. >> Okay. [clears throat] So, you were holding on to the gun. What were you doing with the gun? >> I was about to get ready to take it away cuz it wasn't supposed to be there. It was something that was fine. >> Where was the gun before you put it on the couch? on my other side. I hid it from my babies. >> Okay. Other side of what? >> The side of the couch. >> Okay. Can you point to where the gun was? Okay. So, are you staying down uh behind the couch? Yeah, that's where I feel safer hiding in it when I had it. >> Okay. And what was the gun in when it was on on this behind the couch? >> I have it in it. >> Okay. So, you just had the gun. >> I put it in a bag. It wasn't like wrapped up exactly in a bag. which is in the bag and >> under clothes and stuff so that my kids won't get to it. >> Okay. >> Notice how the questions keep returning to physical detail. Where the gun was hidden, how it was placed, and what a small child could reach. Detectives are not simply recording Jasmine's account. They are testing whether a three-year-old could access and fire the weapon the way she describes. Each concrete answer gives them another point to compare with the scene. one time. >> How about this? Are your children like mine where they love to like jump on the couch and stuff? >> Yes. >> Okay. They like to fly around and act out stuff they see on TV. >> Yes. >> Maybe do some wrestling and stuff. >> Yes. >> Now, this is what I hate. I hate when they like go up on top of the cushions. >> Mhm. >> Cuz they wreck it and they wreck the back. Do your kids ever go up on top? >> They do. So that So they're very active. They can climb all over the place. All right. Um, the very common game called hide and seek. Do they ever do that? Ever hide anywhere? >> No. >> Uh, yeah. I have it a lot when I when I >> Yeah. that I locked and they be like, "Oh, bathroom." And I try to get in my room to lock the door. >> Okay. So, like to get into some things and hide and run around and >> Oh, do they do they ever play pillow fights? >> Mhm. >> Yeah. Some of my kids, they love smacking each other, you know, doing whatever just to kind of drive me nuts. Yeah. >> So, um like what is he able to like pick some of this stuff up? These cushions kind of strong. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Okay. All right. Does he ever hit you with the pillow? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. My kids like to take the cushions and make forts and stuff out of them. >> Yes. >> Too. Okay. All right. So he really gets into some stuff, huh? >> How can I say this? >> Uh wonderer. I you know I wonder like wonder like this could just be right there. >> Oh, you know. >> Yep. Always checking on stuff, right? when she gets home to see like what what can I do with this, you know, trying stuff like steps like that. >> Yep. >> And and you as mom, what what do you do to, you know, either promote that or or get them to to stop getting into your stuff? What do you what >> Okay. Did you listen or is he like my kids? >> No, don't listen. Don't listen. Right. It's like It's like sometimes you're talking to a brick wall, right? >> Okay. So, how many kids do you just have? Two. um I have four kids. >> Four. What What's the oldest? The age. >> Okay. and girl's name. All right. Um and then the next oldest. Okay. And then next oldest. Okay. And how about after that? my baby boy here. >> Okay. Okay. >> And he passed away. Was he sick? That happened in Milwaukee. Oh. Okay. And then was that all five or was there another one? >> [snorts] >> Okay. So, okay. Have you went to see your doctor yet? >> Why not? >> Obviously, you weren't talking to who you are. >> Okay. But having four other children, right, you >> I know. >> You know. Okay. That's mother's intuition, right? >> Yes. Okay. Can I have a little fever? >> Thank you. >> I know. I know. at this time. >> Okay. So, after uh was shot, do you know which way the bullet went? Like when the when the gun was fired, do you hear anything else? >> No, I just No, I didn't. I mean, I didn't know exactly where that say I did. I didn't I just know like I said I walked up the stairs screaming and crying and yelling and blood just you got the >> Okay. And where scared still in the basement? Okay. And where was the gun? I don't know where. >> But you didn't check. [snorts] >> Say God say I didn't know. >> Well, what if what would have got the gun and shot? couldn't have cuz by the time I already was up the stairs with down and went down there so I know to back to it. >> Okay. I'm not sure if that's going to be this. >> Don't look at me. >> You don't know. >> You said where was he? >> What was he wearing? >> He only had some shorts on. He was in bed coming out of his bed and he like, "What happened? What happened?" And I'm just yelling and screaming. And he just came back to what happened. >> But what' you tell? >> Couldn't talk at the time. I just was yelling. I just was screaming. I just was Somebody help me. Somebody get a Somebody call the police. Somebody do something. Somebody help me say I didn't like I didn't think about none of that. I just to be okay that's all. >> And know what happened after that? And I saw it on the ground there waiting on waiting. So, when do you have this gun? How do you hold the gun? When you're possessing it by the handle. >> By the handle. And where's your finger at? My friend would know no gun know. >> That's not what we asked. >> Yeah, it did. He just said, "Where was your finger at?" He asked when how was I holding it? And I said, "With the handle like this." So you asked, "Where was my finger at?" My finger was in the handle. Every time I held the gun, it was in the handle. So, >> like in the handle? You mean like on the trigger or? >> No, the handle part where the trigger is at. The handle like upside down. >> Let me get a gun for a gun for you. The blue training gun changes the interview from verbal recall to demonstration. By asking Jasmine to show her grip and movement, detectives can compare what she does with what she has said. But a separate legal problem remains. This entire interview followed her request for counsel in the statement that a lawyer would not be available until morning. So you hold the gun like that. >> And you hold it like that to do what? >> I held the gun like I barely even had like held the gun. I only held it once and that's when I first found it. When I first found it, >> I grabbed it from right here. >> Okay. And you carried it home like that? I didn't carry it on like that. >> Okay. How' you carry it home? >> I carried it home. I put it in. >> I wrapped it up. >> Okay. So, find out at the park. wrapped up in your jacket like like your jacket's off or you have a jacket on and you put it in your jacket. >> Jackets off it with >> Okay. You carry it home and when you get it home that night, where do you put this gun? >> Well, I told you I put it in behind the couch. I heat it. >> Okay. And how many times have you pulled it out of your jacket since you brought it home? >> None. >> Today was his day. >> Okay. And then today, so what kind of jacket was it? >> Was it jacket? Black jacket. >> Black low jacket. >> Say love on it. It's a black jacket. >> Oh, gotcha. Okay. I thought it was a style. I'm closing up on women's fashion. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, you just decide tonight is the night that you're going to you're going to get rid of it. >> I was got rid of it yesterday. >> Okay. >> Where were you going to get rid of it at? >> Actually, honestly, I was going to take it back where I got it from. >> Just throw it in the park. Yeah. Back where I was at. I wasn't feeling right. I wasn't my place to even grab it or touch it or take it from where it was at. >> Okay. So, tonight you pull it out of the love jacket and then you you put it on the couch. >> Yep. That's what I was about to get. Like I said, we drunk and ready to go. >> So, demonstrate with that blue gun how you pull that out of your love jacket. Okay. So, you grabbed it sort of by the barrel. Then you just put it on the cushion. >> Okay. And now that we've had a little time, which way was the the barrel pointing when you put it on the cushion? >> Okay. So, meaning which way is the point when it's on a on a couch? Okay. It's pointing towards the corner. Okay. Oh, is this about the size of the gun that you have? >> Yes. Okay. >> Yes. >> All right. Is this your shape? >> Yes. >> Okay. Is there what's different about the gun that you have that's different from this other than the color and and yours you think is about this tall? >> How you weigh? Well, um 24 lb >> 20 24 lb >> maybe like 30. >> How how much weigh when he was born? >> He weighs six lb in it when he >> Okay. [clears throat] Have you ever shot a gun before? >> No. Never shot a gun. Do you do you think the story that you're telling us is even possible? >> Yes, >> you do. >> Yes, it is possible. >> Okay. Is it the truth? >> Yes. Did you accidentally say it again? >> Did you accidentally? >> The reason why I'm asking this is because how you said he weighs somewhere between 24 and 30 lbs. If you ever shot a gun, it's pretty difficult to pull the trigger. with that. If you know, >> you know, >> what does that mean? >> It will pick up anything that vacuum cleaner and it's way too hard to Yeah. >> And do what it? >> Bring it to you. Bring it to anybody. Like if you say like, "Oh, bring me that." Or you be telling somebody else to get something like you tell I I'll be telling one of the other kids to grab the the um bathroom like, "Oh, got it. Pick it up and bring it up over there." like when we go grocery shopping, when we go get stuff, he wants to hold the bleach. He wants to hold the the big pine salt. Like he wants to do things, wants to do older things. >> Okay. So, I just wanted to be clear that, you know, the one that shot your daughter. What's that? >> Yes. >> That that'll be that'll be a lot to happen. >> Exactly. Why don't I keep saying I need to give him He didn't know me. I know it's fine forever. I'm trying to I know he and Whose fault is this? I mean, right now I wouldn't be able to tell him. Well, at this time, >> well, Jasmine, this is your fault. >> Great. >> You are responsible for death. [snorts] >> So, before Jake and I leave here, we want to make sure that we're clear. Okay. on whether this is was pulling that trigger or someone else because th this kind of stuff will wear on someone and it's going to take a psychological toll on both of you. But if it wasn't really it's not fair for you to put it. You're right. But I wouldn't be sitting here saying that anything. I never been in this type of situation. Never did anything like this. So no, it was not expected or like it was an accident. It was not expected. >> Okay. >> It wasn't intentionally or like No, it was none of that. >> Okay. Well, I he wouldn't intentionally shoot, >> right? So, it was an accident, >> right? Well, what I'm saying is, did this or did someone else? >> Nobody else was down there but me and my two kids. Yes. So, because this is an accident, what happened to the gun? >> And I just told you, I don't know. >> Okay. >> I grabbed my daughter and I ran up the stairs and was screaming and yelling and I ran and got help. >> Okay. All right. And then you went outside, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. And your brother-in-law came down. All right. So, now is the time to tell us who your brother-in-law is? >> I don't know brother-in-law name. >> That is bull. >> Mhm. >> [ __ ] You don't know your brother-in-law's name? >> No, I don't know like that no. >> Are you kidding me? >> Your daughter's dead and you're refusing to give information that can help us figure out what happened to the gun? I don't know. I told y'all everything I know. What happened? >> No. >> You're refusing to give us your brother-in-law's name. >> I don't know his name. They never called him around me. >> So, what do you call him? >> Don't call him. I don't say nothing to him. >> Okay. How about How about the lady? Whatever you're calling her, sister or sister-in-law? What's her name? >> Sis. >> Sis. That's it. Mhm. >> She's a blood relative to you? Mhm. >> And you're refusing to give her name. >> I don't know her name. >> Your daughter's blood is on you, Jasmine. You're going to have to live with that for the rest of your life. >> I was there for you. You killed your daughter. >> I definitely didn't. >> That I'm not going to let y'all say. >> You are you are a terrible mother right now because you're refusing to give the names of the people that lived upstairs that we need to interview and figure out what happened to this gun. Am I clear? What happens if another kid gets a hold of this gun? Think about that. Too many kids are dying. What happens if another kid gets a hold of this gun and accidentally shoots someone and kills himself? Me and Dan were just at one about this last February where a kid got a horrible gun and shot himself. So, it's important that we know where this gun went and it's important that we know the people that went downstairs and the people that lived in the house cuz we need to find this gun. That's important. >> So, what's your brother-in-law's name? >> I don't know his name. >> What's your sister-in-law's name? >> I don't know her name. >> What happened to all them tears? Oh, >> with tears. >> You were You were sure crying before, >> of course. >> But now now when we need some help, you got nothing. >> I'm helping y'all. I'm telling y'all. >> You ain't helping nothing. >> Yeah, I am. I'm telling y'all. What more do you want? If I don't know. I'm telling you all. I know. >> We'd like to know where the gun went. Okay. And I don't know. I grabbed my daughter after it happened. I don't know. I don't know. I don't. >> Okay. So, you live with in the basement of a house with two people who you call sis or sister-in-law and a brother-in-law, but are refusing to give their names. And obviously, there's some c there's some cowards that they ran off and they don't want to stick around. >> I don't know them people's name. >> Okay. I I don't >> Well, Jasmine, we're trying to find this gun. We don't want another incident to happen. We don't want another little kid getting shot and killed. We don't want another kid picking up a gun and shoot shooting themselves. You're >> right. I wouldn't either. I wouldn't expect this or I wouldn't wish this on nobody. >> So, when you tell us that, oh, I just called him six or brother-in-law. Yeah, we that that's a bunch of bull crap. >> No, I just don't know the world you live in now. So you say so don't even give out names. Give out fake name. They give out other. They don't give up everybody they names. Like I say, can't be mad at me if I don't know their names. No, I can't. Stay tight for a second. No real mother would ever have it go down like this. You might have given birth to these children, but you're not a mother. Do you understand that? Huh? >> I've been a mother for a long time. >> You are no mother. Tell me that >> you are no mother. >> Mhm. >> You might get pregnant and give birth, but you are not a mother. You do not care about these children. >> I don't care about my children. >> You do not. Cuz I don't want to tell you somebody name I don't know. >> Absolutely. >> Cuz I don't know their name. >> You live with them, Jasmine. >> That don't mean nothing. >> That's huge. If I'm living with somebody, I'm gonna know THEIR NAME. >> OH NO. IF YOU LIVE WITH SOMEBODY and somebody don't want to give up their name, they don't have to give up their name. I'm sis. I'M BRO. [ __ ] YOU DON'T HAVE TO. JUST LIKE IF YOU WANTED SOMEBODY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE UP YOUR NAME. People didn't give me their name. They just s and bro. Okay. I respect that. [ __ ] I can't knock nobody for how they feel and what they do. But for you to tell me I ain't a mother. >> You ain't a mother. >> Right. >> You are a horrible person, Jasmine. [clears throat] >> I'm a horrible person cuz I don't know these people name. >> Absolutely. Because you can't even look at me. I actually can look at you. I just choose not to look at you. I cannot believe what you're doing right now. Do you remember when you were given birth? Do you remember how happy that was? probably one of the happiest days of your life, right? >> Yes. [clears throat] >> Child birth is special for a mother. Okay. >> Yes. >> Your is dead. >> Dad, you're never going to never come back. Every birthday, you're going to have to think about her. leaking blood out your body all over the floor because of something you did. And when asked some simple questions about the people you lived with, you refused to help your >> No, I'm probably not refusing to help. I just don't know the name of these people. So, you just happened to move all your in this basement with your two young children and you don't know who these people are. Do you think Jake and I believe that? >> You should type of world you live in. Your family don't give a about you. So, what you expect? >> We're not dumb. [clears throat] >> You're not dumb. I'm not saying you is, but at the end of the day, when you ain't got nowhere else and a person is willing to take you and your babies in and like it's a home, you ain't got no choice. Whoever sist bro is, guess what? They leave me and them kids out on the street. That's the last time you're going to have any kids. Think about that. The one night you lost them all. How come you didn't ride with with your daughter in the ambulance? >> I was told I wasn't in enough room. I beat up all the men and made sure that they they did not let me get in the car with my daughter. I beat up what you want to call it. They sergeants, whoever they is. I fired on a bunch of them trying to get in the car with my child. They did not let me in. So, I got dropped off to her quick ASAP. No problem. >> Who dropped you off? >> A friend. >> Some lady. I don't know. I don't know the lady. Please don't ask. I don't. I was out. I went outside. It was a party going on. It was a bunch of people out there. And she helped me. That was it. >> What was she helping? Was she doing CPR or what? Yeah, she tried to help her do CPR while the while the baby was landing. >> What did you What did you tell her? >> Tell her the same thing. >> No, you didn't. Same thing as what? [snorts] >> Same thing I'm sitting here telling y'all. And matter of fact, to be honest, I didn't tell her anything. I was screaming and yelling. They kept asking. All of them kept asking, "What happened? What happened? What happened?" I wasn't saying anything. I was just too in that point right then and there was so much blood on me. I was ready for them to come and help my child. That's it. That's all. >> The child that you killed. >> I didn't kill much. I mean I did not kill and I will not sit here and let y'all say I killed death was an accident. Period. You owe it to her to tell us the truth. You are not. >> I am. I'm telling God everything. >> You are looking at your dead. You are lying to us. >> I'm not lying. >> You're refusing to help. [snorts] >> I'm not lying. >> You are lying. Jasmine, don't laugh. And if I got to go to court, I'll fight. I'm a lawyer. I'm a lawyer. I didn't hurt my child. [snorts] I'm telling y'all everything I know. You're not going to pressure me. No. No. No. Mm- [clears throat] state of mind. I mean, no. Not going to try to pressure me. I told you everything. No, I didn't kill my It was an accident. None of this supposed to happen. It was an accident. And for you to sit up here in my face and give me this picture and tell me that I'm less of a mother, how dare you? If you don't know what I've been through today, how dare you? If you haven't seen what I see today, then you bring me a picture of my [snorts] try to pressure me more like something's going to change. It's going to be different. No, nothing's going to change. Nothing's going to be different. I told you everything you needed to know about what happened with my child. I don't know what else or what more you all want me to do. >> Just tell the truth. But you you want a lawyer. Is that what you're saying? >> Yes. It's cuz I'm telling y'all the truth. And y'all are telling me I didn't. I'm not. And I murdered my child. I DID IT. IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. >> Time to go upstairs. Jasmine, stand up. [snorts] Follow. This interview ends without a confession. Jasmine continues to say the shooting was an accident caused by her young son. In later interviews, the court record says she offered different accounts and eventually said that she had fired the gun accidentally. Those later statements, and this one would become central to both her plea and her appeal. On September 14th, 2021, Judge David Elbowski sentenced Jasmine Daniels for neglecting a child resulting in death. The total sentence was 16 years, 8 years of initial confinement followed by 8 years of extended supervision with credit for more than one year already served. But on March 31st, 2026, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals reversed the judgment. It ruled that her waiver of counsel was not knowing, intelligent, and voluntary, ordered all custodial statements suppressed, and sent the case back to the circuit court. No later public disposition was located in the sources checked for this production. At the center of every interview and every filing was a child whose life ended at 2 years old, Zaya Stevens. May she be remembered with dignity. 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