Woman Accused of Killing 5-Year-Old in Her Care Deemed Competent for Trial

Pammy Maye will undergo further evaluation for possible insanity plea in death of Darnell Taylor

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:11pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small toy car or stuffed animal, its details sharply lit by a direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a somber, investigative mood without words.A harsh, unforgiving flash illuminates a child's toy, a stark reminder of the tragedy at the heart of this case.Columbus Today

More than two years after 5-year-old Darnell Taylor was allegedly suffocated and left in a sewer drain, the South Side woman accused of the crime, Pammy Maye, has been found competent to stand trial. However, Maye will undergo an additional evaluation to determine if she meets the requirements to be found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Why it matters

The case has raised concerns about potential red flags that were missed by authorities regarding Maye's fitness to care for the child, who had developmental disabilities. The outcome of the trial and any potential insanity plea could have broader implications for how the legal system handles cases involving vulnerable children in the custody of caretakers with mental health issues.

The details

Maye, 50, is charged with aggravated murder, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse in connection with the February 2024 death of Taylor. Maye's attorney had previously indicated plans to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, citing Maye's mental health concerns. After being found incompetent to stand trial in August 2025, Maye has now been deemed competent, but will undergo an additional evaluation to determine if she understood the wrongfulness of her actions at the time.

  • On February 13, 2024, 5-year-old Darnell Taylor died.
  • In February 2024, Maye was arrested after her husband reported her making concerning comments about hurting Darnell.
  • On February 15, 2024, Maye confessed to killing Darnell and led police to his body.
  • In August 2025, Maye was found incompetent to stand trial.
  • On April 13, 2026, Maye was found competent to stand trial, but will undergo further evaluation.

The players

Pammy Maye

A 50-year-old South Side woman charged with aggravated murder, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse in the death of 5-year-old Darnell Taylor, whom she had temporary legal guardianship over.

Darnell Taylor

A 5-year-old boy who was allegedly suffocated and left in a sewer drain by Pammy Maye, who had temporary legal guardianship over him.

Sam Shamansky

Pammy Maye's attorney, who had indicated plans to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

Mark Serrott

The Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge overseeing the case.

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What they’re saying

“Shorty after Maye's arrest, her attorney, Sam Shamansky, indicated he was going to try to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, saying Maye had mental health concerns.”

— Sam Shamansky, Pammy Maye's attorney

What’s next

Judge Serrott said he wants the case to move forward and would set a trial date for about three months later, which he expects to move forward as a trial or be resolved through a plea agreement.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding the care of vulnerable children, especially when caretakers may have unaddressed mental health concerns. The outcome of the trial and any potential insanity plea could set important precedents for how such cases are handled in the future.