The suspect charged with the hit and run death of a 12-year-old East Cleveland boy remains out on bond while detectives investigate whether pictures she posted on social media could violate the terms of her bond.
According to court records obtained by News 5, Starlesha Lewis, 19, was driving on a suspended or revoked license when she allegedly struck and killed Ameer Mitchellwho was playing in front of his house on Aug. 10.
She was charged with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident and released on bond.
But Lewis’ Instagram followers tell News 5 that since her release, Lewis has posted multiple photos and videos that indicate she is still driving. She even posted a photo of herself in a neck brace two weeks ago saying she’d been in an accident, accompanied by a picture of a vehicle with significant damage to the driver's side.
“It’s such a slap in the face,” said Mitchell’s mother, Navetta Clark, outside court on Monday. “I don’t see how they’re letting this happen.”
Since our first story aired, Lewis has changed her Instagram username.
News 5 approached Lewis before her pretrial conference on Monday. Lewis ignored the questions and refused to make eye contact.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office said that the screen shots from Lewis’ social media accounts have been forwarded to the detectives assigned to this case. As of Monday, the court had not found a reason to revoke her bond.
“She needs to be held accountable and it needs to be soon,” Clark said tearfully.
Lewis’ next hearing is set for April 11.
