MIAMI — A woman found not guilty for the drowning death of her 1-year-old daughter and attempted murder of her husband and teenage daughter will remain free.
On Wednesday, a Miami-Dade County judge ruled that Precious Bland, 38, will not be institutionalized.
The case dates back to the summer of 2021, when Bland maintained that COVID-19 was to blame for her actions, claiming that the virus caused a temporary psychosis.
Investigators said she was trying to baptize her family after hearing voices in her head telling her Jesus is coming back.
During the hearing, three psychologists agreed that Bland does not need to be hospitalized, but that she should continue receiving mental health treatment.
Bland was calm when she left the courtroom Wednesday morning while her attorney stopped to speak to the media.
“She was found not guilty on all counts, but she still has to live with the fact and circumstances of something that happened that was beyond her control, that changed her dream life into a nightmare, and that’s going to be forever,” said defense attorney Larry Handfield.
Bland, who already spent several years behind bars, is focused on rebuilding her life, Handfield said.
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