UPDATE: The trial of Jordan Payne, a 31-year-old man from Grove, Oklahoma, charged with the second-degree murder of an infant, is intensifying as it enters its fifth day. The proceedings, held at the U.S. Federal Court in Tulsa, are drawing significant attention due to the shocking details surrounding the death of Rachel Tymprance-Jane Simpson.
Payne’s trial began on Monday, and prosecutors have announced plans to call an astonishing 37 witnesses to testify. Among them, Melissa Foreman, the infant’s mother, has already provided harrowing testimony regarding the circumstances leading up to her daughter’s tragic death just a week before her first birthday.
The infant passed away on October 19, 2024, from severe blunt force trauma to the head, as confirmed by an autopsy. The report revealed that both sides of Rachel’s head were severely bruised, leading to blood accumulation outside her brain. Additionally, there was evidence of bleeding in both retinas, and she displayed stroke-like brain activity. Disturbingly, investigators found multiple fractures, including two in the eye area and a broken tibia and fibula.
As the courtroom listens intently, the autopsy details paint a grim picture: Rachel suffered from seven contusions and abrasions to her head, alongside numerous bruises on her arms and legs. The medical examination also noted a potential fourth rib fracture. This infant, born prematurely at nearly 26 weeks and weighing less than two pounds, had grown to 18 pounds by the time of her death, illustrating her struggle for survival.
Foreman’s relationship with Payne began through a social media dating app, where she occasionally stayed at his home. She disclosed that Payne often worked overnight and could be short-tempered due to sleep deprivation. On October 15, Foreman left for work, assuring that Rachel was healthy before departing. However, during a 45-minute drive to her workplace, Payne called to report that the child was crying uncontrollably. He texted a photo of Rachel lying on the floor near what appeared to be vomit.
When Foreman returned home around 6:45 PM, she found Rachel “limp, cold, and unresponsive,” prompting immediate medical attention. The infant was rushed to Intergris Grove General Hospital and later transferred to St. Francis, where she remained in the pediatric intensive care unit for four days. Tragically, she was declared dead after displaying signs of severe neurological damage.
The emotional toll of this case extends beyond the courtroom. Foreman, who has been in the spotlight for her role in the incident, was also scheduled to appear in Cherokee Nation Criminal Court on the same day she testified, facing felony charges of child sexual abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
As the trial continues to unfold, the community is left to grapple with the implications of this horrific case. What happens next in the courtroom could be pivotal in delivering justice for Rachel and ensuring accountability for those involved.
Stay tuned for further updates as this heartbreaking story develops.
