The family members and neighbours of Shanika McKellar are still in shock after the 22-year-old was taken into custody in connection with the death of her 11-month-old daughter, Sabrina Joseph, in Lewis Town, Black River, St Elizabeth, on Tuesday.

McKellar was taken into custody after the police were summoned to the house by a relative after the child's mother broke the gruesome news that the infant had been killed.

Upon the arrival of the police, the baby was found on the floor with multiple stab wounds to her chest area.

The child was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

McKellar's grand aunt, whom the infant was living with along with her mother and three-year-old sister, had to be rushed to the doctor's office as she almost fainted after she went to see the body of her 11-month-old great-grand niece.

She said she was at home when McKellar told her about the incident. "Mi couldn't believe it. She come with her two hand pon her head. Me say move from yah, weh the baby deh? You know how me bark after her? Weh the baby?" the grand aunt said.

"And when me go and see the baby lay down pon her belly with the whole heap a blood, mi turn har ova quick cause me say might be if she lay down there the blood will leak out. When me turn har, me see the baby a turn over her eye. Mi say Lord Jesus, she nah go mek it, and mi come out and start fi bawl fi murder! Help! Only the mercy a God mek mi nuh in a the hospital," she continued.

McKellar's mother said that before the child's death her daughter was stressed because of several occurrences in her life.

Her grand aunt said that in addition to this stress, McKellar was not mentally well even before the birth of the child.

The child's father also added that although he did not have much he supported the child. McKellar's family did not dispute the fact that the child's father was involved in the infant's life. They said, however, that his involvement in the child's care was very inconsistent and was not sufficient to ensure the child's well-being.

Meanwhile, The Black River police have since taken McKellar into custody. She is scheduled to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.