Chicago Woman Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Stabbing of 1-Month-Old Baby in Gage Park

A Chicago woman accused of killing a one-month-old infant on the city’s Southwest Side has entered a not guilty plea as the homicide case moves through the court system.

According to prosecutors, 25-year-old Tatiana Maxwell appeared in court on June 16 and pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge stemming from the death of 1-month-old Nyhnia Stovall. The case stems from a May 15 incident inside a home in Chicago’s Gage Park neighborhood, located in the 3000 block of West 59th Street.

Investigators allege that Maxwell fatally stabbed the infant inside the residence before jumping from an upper-level window. Police said she suffered injuries in the fall and was transported to the hospital, where she was later taken into custody. Officers recovered a knife during the investigation.

The infant, identified as Nyhnia Stovall, was rushed to Comer Children’s Hospital but did not survive her injuries. Authorities have not publicly released additional details regarding Maxwell’s relationship to the child.

Witnesses described a large emergency response at the scene. One neighbor told reporters he saw police and ambulances arrive before seeing a woman fall to the ground after apparently jumping from a window.

During Tuesday’s hearing, discovery motions were filed, and the case was continued. Maxwell’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 21 as prosecutors and defense attorneys continue preparing for trial.