Woman accused of strangling daughter also killed pets to show ‘what would happen’ if she lied

TOWSON, Md. (WBAL) – It’s a tragic story out of Maryland.

A mother is now in police custody and charged with killing her own 11-year-old child.

On Friday, a judge ordered a mental evaluation for Keyona Dillon, who insists on representing herself in court.

Neighbors are remembering a young girl who was found dead in her Middle River home.

“Now, her life was cut short, so young,” neighbor Cricket Moore said.

Trae Corbin, with the Baltimore County Police Department, said a neighbor called in and said a juvenile was found dead in the house next door.

Police arrested the girl’s 34-year-old mother on Thursday night.

Dillon is charged with first-degree murder. She is accused of strangling her 11-year-old daughter, London.

“I have a lot of emotions going on right now. I know this sweet child,” Moore added. “I always gave toys to every child on this block. She is the only one that said thank you.”

According to a charging document, when police tried talking to Dillon, “she continued to display erratic behavior, including exclamations about exposing child sex rings, transsexuals and Proud Boys. Keyona Dillon acted erratically and made statements about groups trying to set her up.”

Police also found two cats, a rabbit and a dog dead in the home. Dillon told them it happened during an argument with London.

The court record indicates “she then admitted that she killed the four animals to show victim what would happen to her if she didn’t tell the truth.”

“I’m just devastated. I’m devastated,” Moore said.

An aunt and uncle said, for several days, family members called local agencies, including child protective services. They were concerned and requested a welfare check after Dillon made troubling statements and started acting erratic.

They believe it was in the works when London was found dead.

During a court hearing, Dillon told a judge, “I’m representing myself. You all violated my rights. I am an indigenous sovereign of the land. You collected DNA without my permission. You are violating my rights.”

When the judge tried to appoint a public defender, Dillon said, “I do not want to be represented by a public defender. I want to represent myself.”

The Maryland Department of Human Services says it cannot release information about child welfare cases or details about this investigation because of federal and state privacy laws.

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