Syracuse, NY — A 3-year-old girl was killed in a horrific crash after prosecutors alleged that an intoxicated woman got behind the wheel despite police previously taking away her car keys.
Yasmeen Shaaf died after the vehicle crashed into a tree on July 31, according to authorities. Her 7-year-old brother was also in the vehicle and survived with injuries.
The children were allegedly sitting in the backseat without car seats or seatbelts when the crash occurred.
Now, prosecutors are also accusing the alleged driver’s sister of helping make the deadly drive possible by giving her the keys after police had intervened.
Sister accused of giving back the car keys
Ren-Tasia Broome, 20, is charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection with Yasmeen’s death, according to online court records.
During a court hearing Monday, Sept. 14, Onondaga prosecutor Frank Pelosi described Broome as “absolutely unremorseful,” Syracuse.com reported.
The prosecutor told the judge that he had listened to hundreds of Broome’s jail calls and claimed she had repeatedly refused to accept responsibility.
“She’s taken no responsibility. She continues to take no responsibility,” Pelosi said in court.
Broome is accused of handing her sister, Jazmine Vann, the keys to a 2022 Kia Sorento after Vann had been drinking at a party.
Police had already warned the alleged driver
The events leading to the deadly crash began the night of July 30, when Syracuse police responded to reports of an argument involving Vann and her mother at a party.
The dispute reportedly centered on Vann’s car keys. According to Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, Vann’s mother apparently believed she was not in a condition to drive.
An officer at the scene determined Vann was intoxicated and warned her not to get behind the wheel because of the potentially serious consequences.
Police then took possession of her car keys. Authorities said the officer kept the keys until Broome assured him that she, rather than Vann, would drive the vehicle.
But prosecutors allege that shortly after police left, Vann retrieved the keys from her sister and moved into the driver’s seat.
Vehicle allegedly reached more than 70 mph
With Vann’s girlfriend, identified as Alejandro, and Alejandro’s children inside the vehicle, prosecutors allege that the situation quickly became dangerous.
According to Fitzpatrick, Vann began verbally abusing those inside the vehicle while driving at more than 70 mph in a 30 mph zone.
She allegedly ran through a stop sign before losing control and crashing into a tree. The impact proved fatal for little Yasmeen.
“Little Yasmeen suffered massive trauma to her body and her head resulting in her death,” Fitzpatrick said.
Vann is facing a second-degree murder charge based on depraved indifference, according to online court records.
Murder charge was upgraded after grand jury review
Vann was initially charged with aggravated vehicular homicide. But in August, Fitzpatrick announced that a grand jury had upgraded the case to murder.
The grand jury determined that Vann allegedly acted with depravity and disregard for human life when she drove the vehicle, according to Fitzpatrick.
Broome remains jailed on $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 bond or a $300,000 partially secured bond. Vann remains held on $500,000 bail, CNY Central reported.
Meanwhile, Alejandro pleaded guilty on Sept. 4 to criminally negligent homicide. She is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 7 and must continue cooperating with prosecutors under her plea agreement.
Family left grieving after toddler’s death
Yasmeen’s death has left her family facing both emotional and financial hardship.
In a GoFundMe campaign seeking help for Yasmeen’s father, Mark Shaaf, he and his fiancée described their daughter as a “beautiful 3-year-old” who was tragically taken from them.
They also said their son, Mark Shaaf III, was still recovering from injuries suffered in the crash. The family said donations would help ease the financial burden while they focus on healing from the devastating loss.
As the criminal cases move forward, prosecutors are continuing to pursue the allegations against those involved in the events that led to Yasmeen’s death.
What do you think about the allegations in this heartbreaking case? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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