Mental check ordered in sex case

A Ridgeland mother accused of performing sexual acts on her children has been ordered to undergo a mental competency hearing.

Circuit Judge Steve Ratcliff ordered Dacoda Amber Ray, 34, to undergo a mental evaluation at the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield after her attorney’s petitioned for the evaluation. 

Ray has been charged with two counts of sexual battery against her own children, one of whom has since died.

Ridgeland Police Lt. Brian Myers previously told the Journal that Ray was initially arrested for disturbing the peace in relation to an incident at her grandparents’ home in Ridgeland on Aug. 13.

Myers said that Ray was then picked up by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department from RPD custody in order to serve the capias, an Indictment warrant for the sexual battery charges filed in Circuit Court on Aug. 5.

Ray is currently being held at the Madison County Detention Center without bond.

According to a grand jury indictment, Ray is alleged to have committed sexual acts on her two sons between Aug. 1, 2017 and June 1, 2018. The children were between the ages of 6 and 9 at the time of the alleged interactions.

Ray’s youngest son, Drake, died in 2019 by asphyxiation, allegedly choking to death on popcorn.

However, law enforcement officials say the death of her son is currently under investigation.  

She had an arraignment hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 19, where she pleaded not guilty.

According to Ratcliff’s order, the evaluation will be presented to the court within 65 days of its completion.