Toddler dies after being pushed non-stop on swing for 44 hours by his own mum

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Romechia Simms was 24-years-old when her schizophrenia pushed her to a deadly extreme

A severely unwell mother continuously pushed her own son on a swing for 44 hours without pause, leading to his tragic death.

Romechia Simms was 24 years old when her schizophrenia drove her to a fatal breaking point. She kept pushing the lifeless body of her son, Ji'Aire Donnell Lee, who had perished from dehydration and hypothermia, backwards and forwards on the swing for two days.

Officers discovered Ji'Aire was still alive when he was initially placed on the swing two days prior to his death. They reached the scene at La Plata park, South Maryland, in 2015 to discover the lifeless body after a member of the public contacted authorities about what they had witnessed.

The Charles County Sheriff's Office stated investigations showed Simms had been pushing him in the swing since the pair arrived at the park 44 hours earlier, at approximately 11.15am on May 2. Temperatures had dropped to 10C overnight.

Spokeswoman Diane Richardson confirmed an autopsy revealed the tot died of dehydration and hypothermia, stating the death had been classified as a homicide, reports the Mirror.

Simms had a background of mental health difficulties and had previously experienced a mental breakdown, as her mother appealed for compassion.

Vontasha Simms shared a photograph of Ji'Aire on Facebook, explaining she was establishing a charity in his memory to highlight awareness of "the desperate needs of those who are mentally ill".

"There is a need that must be filled," she wrote. "We embrace those that may have cancer, sickle cell anemia, high blood pressure, even those that may suffer from substance abuse.

"It does take a village to raise a child. And yes, we are our brothers' and sisters' keepers. Each and every life has meaning and a purpose. Those that suffer from mental illness may life a very lonely and unproductive life if they don't receive the resources, support and love that is needed.

"It could be a mother, father, sister, brother, a child, a family member or yourself. Mental illness touches every family in this country. Let's not shun them or look down upon them because it could be you."

Back in 2016, Simms avoided imprisonment and was instead required to take her medication and attend psychiatric sessions as part of an agreement sanctioned by a Maryland judge, according to Maryland Courts.

The 25-year-old faced charges including involuntary manslaughter, first-degree child abuse and child neglect resulting in death.

A court-appointed forensic psychologist informed a Charles County judge that Simms was battling schizophrenia and therefore could not be held criminally liable for the youngster's death.

Legal officials accepted an Alford plea - whereby the accused doesn't confess guilt but accepts there's sufficient evidence for a conviction.