CLARKSVILLE, TN — According to online court records, a Clarksville man charged with child neglect in the death of a 2-month-old infant received a “nolle” dismissal.
On January 9, 2021, two-month-old Kamari Ridley was taken to Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville and then to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville. Kamari died of her injuries about three days later.
Whitney Page Brown, the child’s mother, was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect, as well as first-degree murder while committing a crime.
Later that year, on September 11, 2021, Kamari’s father, Marquitis Ridley, was arrested for one count of aggravated child abuse and neglect.
On April 21, 2025, Marquitis received a “nolle” dismissal, indicating that prosecutors decided not to pursue the case against him.
The 19th Judicial Court District Attorney’s Office told Clarksville Now that the decision was based on new evidence.
The state is still pushing forward with the charges on Brown, Kamari’s mother. Brown’s trial date is still pending, and according to online court records, she recently made a “pro se” motion (a motion to represent herself). Judge Robert Bateman denied this motion.
