Las Vegas babysitter allegedly fatally stabbed 3-year-old and wrote message in blood

LAS VEGAS (TCN) -- A 41-year-old woman is in custody for allegedly fatally stabbing the 3-year-old girl she was babysitting, writing several messages in blood, and fleeing the scene.

On March 26 just after 3:30 a.m., Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a stabbing call in the 4200 block of Channel 10 Drive and found a young girl suffering from cut wounds. Officers rendered aid until paramedics arrived and transported her to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.

Police said the suspect, Marketta Phillips, ran away when the child’s father came home from work. Officers located and arrested her on a charge of open murder with a deadly weapon.

She is in custody at the Clark County Jail without bond.

KLAS-TV reports the victim, Journei Ross, sustained multiple stab wounds to the neck, torso, and legs. Ross' father, Jeremy Ross, reportedly told investigators that Phillips was his "on and off girlfriend," who lived with him. He left for work at approximately 6 p.m. on March 25, and when he got home, he reportedly found Phillips covered in blood on the floor "surrounded by multiple knives." He went into another room and found his daughter on the bed.

Police reportedly discovered notes in the apartment, including one that said, "Now we both have nothing" and another that read, "See what happens when you f--k with people’s lives." In a bedroom, a message seemingly written in blood on the wall said, "Everybody who played me is cursed."

According to KLAS, Phillips allegedly admitted to stabbing the 3-year-old "more than once" after she "snapped." She reportedly said she did it to "get back at him."

Journei Ross’ mother, Phalan Whitson, said, "She could light up a room wherever she was at. I deserve justice."

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