Pregnant Marianna teen died of diabetes complications

MARIANNA, Fla. — The 18-year-old pregnant woman found dead in her Marianna apartment last week died of complications associated with diabetes, according to Lt. Dan Hodges of the Marianna Police Department.

Hodges was the lead investigator in the death of Temika Levett Fletcher.

Her body was found late last Tuesday on the floor of the bedroom in her her dwelling at Old Cottondale Apartments. Her 1-year-old daughter, found in the apartment with her, has since been permanently placed with relatives, Hodges said. Fletcher was five to six months pregnant at the time of her death.

For Hodges, the Fletcher case hit close to home.

He also has diabetes, and was very familiar with the cause of death the medical examiner cited.

“It was ketoacidosis,” Hodges said. “Basically, that’s acid in the bloodstream. Her blood-sugar level was very elevated, and the body reacted by producing acid in an effort to bring it down. Acid (can be) deadly in the bloodstream.”

Hodges said the normal blood-sugar level is 80 to 150. Fletcher’s tested at between 1,000 and 2,000, he said.

For pregnant women with diabetes, keeping the disease in check is one of the most important things they can do to ensure their own health and that of their unborn child.

Karen Edwards of Chipola Healthy Start, which serves pregnant women, mothers and their young children, says proper nutrition is key.

“When we have pregnant woman with diabetes, we offer some of the common advice that is true for every pregnant woman — eat properly,” she said. “That includes drinking plenty of water, cutting down on soda and eliminating alcohol.”

She knew Fletcher and described her as a “happy-go-lucky person who was looking forward to being a fabulous mom.”

“It’s just a travesty when anything like this happens,” Edwards added. “I believe she was doing all she knew to do.”