BALTIMORE — A 21-year-old woman accused of starving her toddler to death while a member of a religious cult was ordered held without bail Tuesday, and her attorney suggested that she was not responsible for her son’s death.
Ria Ramkissoon wore a purple jumpsuit and a blank expression during her appearance Tuesday at Baltimore’s booking center. Her attorney, Steven Silverman, said after the hearing that his client, a native of Trinidad who moved to Maryland with her mother at the age of 8, was manipulated by cult members.
Four other alleged members of the group known as 1 Mind Ministries also face first-degree murder charges in the death of Javon Thompson, who was about 15 months old when he died. Police allege that members wanted to punish the toddler for refusing to say “Amen” after meals.
