A grieving mother whose son was killed by her best friend has shared the disturbing message she received just before the woman was arrested for his abuse.
Kristian Harris, a two-year-old from Mississippi, tragically passed away on September 15, after being brutally mistreated by 25-year-old Makallie Durham.
Makallie, from Iuka, pled guilty to capital murder and child abuse in December. She was sentenced to life in prison for her horrific crimes.
In an interview with DailyMail.com, Kristian’s mother, Justin Hurd, 23, recalled that after police arrived at the scene on September 13, Makallie sent her a frantic text saying that she was being taken to jail. Justin expressed her shock and anger at her former friend, asking why her children were covered in bruises.
Makallie’s boyfriend, who was a trucker and not home at the time, had called 911 after learning that Kristian was unconscious. Both Kristian and his younger sister, K’Helani, were under Makallie’s care at the time, with Justin saying that her children had been in Makallie’s custody for several days.
When Justin arrived at the hospital, she immediately knew something was wrong. The hospital staff had been trying to keep her calm, but once she entered the room and saw her son, she knew he was dead. At that moment, she also realized her daughter was nowhere to be found. After asking the police, she learned that K’Helani had also been severely abused, with bruises on her face, chest, and abdomen.
Makallie had been charged with striking both children multiple times over several days leading up to Kristian’s death. Surveillance footage from the boyfriend’s home helped authorities piece together the timeline of abuse. Justin later revealed that Makallie had taken the children to various locations, including her parents’ home, during the week she was babysitting them.
Justin had always trusted Makallie, who she described as being like a second mother to her children. She never suspected that the woman could harm them, especially since the children had never returned home with injuries before.
After Kristian’s death, Justin struggled with the idea of justice. While she wanted Makallie to receive the death penalty, she was told that the lengthy process wouldn’t bring closure soon enough. Justin said she wouldn’t be able to calmly confront Makallie, admitting she might resort to violence if given the chance.
In addition to the deep pain of losing Kristian, Justin faced cruel online accusations, with people blaming her for her son’s death. Despite the pain, Justin has moved forward, welcoming two more children into her life. Her daughter, K’Helani, who is now three, still remembers her late brother and speaks fondly of him, calling him the best big brother.
While justice has been served for Makallie, Justin’s pain remains, as nothing can bring back her beloved son.