Dad returns from work to find babysitter fatally stabbed 3-year-old, Nevada cops say
A babysitter accused of fatally stabbing a 3-year-old girl has been arrested, Nevada police say.
Marketta Phillips, 41, was arrested on an open murder charge, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a March 26 news release posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Through an investigation, police said detectives learned Phillips was caring for the child while her father was at work.
When the father returned, he found his daughter had been stabbed and called 911, police told KSNV.
After getting a call about a stabbing just after 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 26, officers entered the apartment and found a child with stab wounds, police said.
Officers tried to save the girl, whose identity was not released, before first responders arrived and took her to a hospital, where she died, police said.
“It’s a tragic and unfortunate incident,” Lt. Robert Price told KLAS.
Phillips, who is accused of stabbing the child, ran when the father returned to the apartment, police said.
Officers found Phillips near the apartment complex and took her into custody, according to police.
Price told KVVU that detectives believe Phillips may have lived at the apartment, but it is currently unclear.
Phillips, who is being held without bail, was scheduled to make her initial court appearance March 27, jail records show.
This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 1:17 PM with the headline "Dad returns from work to find babysitter fatally stabbed 3-year-old, Nevada cops say."
