Raja Drain Arrested in Connecticut for Murder of 2-Year-Old Daughter
WETHERSFIELD, CT — A Connecticut woman has been arrested and charged with the murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Jamie Drain, in North Carolina. Raja Drain, 28, was taken into custody on Monday night during a domestic-related incident in Wethersfield, where police discovered an active warrant for her arrest from Bertie County, NC.
Drain faces charges of first-degree murder and felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury related to the death of her daughter on December 2, 2024, in Windsor, North Carolina. Authorities say the child died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Drain waived her extradition hearing during a court appearance on Tuesday in New Britain Superior Court, acknowledging the severity of the charges.
During the hearing, her bond was increased to $2 million. She also faces separate Connecticut charges, including assault, criminal mischief, and violating a protective order.
Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin said that Drain was the only adult present when the incident occurred. While she initially claimed her daughter fell while she was cooking, autopsy results and new evidence contradicted that account.
“Baby Jamie Drain died at the hands of her mother, Raja Drain,” Ruffin stated during a news conference. “The injuries were not consistent with an accident and had to be caused by an adult.”
Jamie’s father, Dante Valentine, expressed relief following the arrest, saying, “I finally can get some rest now, for my baby to rest in peace.”
Drain remains in Connecticut custody while extradition to North Carolina is being arranged.
