HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. -- A Hillsborough County judge ruled Wednesday that a mother accused of drowning her 4-year-old daughter in a river will stay in jail until her trial.

• Shakayla Denson was in court Wednesday
• Denson accused of leaving child to drown in river
• Je'Hyrah Daniels died Aug. 2 after drowning

Shakayla Denson was denied bond in her pre-trial detention hearing. 

She faces charges of first degree felony murder, aggravated child abuse, and grand theft.  Her autistic daughter, Je'Hyrah Daniels, died Thursday in the Hillsborough River.

Denson, 26, spent most of her time during the hearing Wednesday wiping away tears as prosecutors and their witnesses explained why she should be held in jail without bond.

The prosecutor said the charges show she is a "danger to the community."

• RELATED: 
  • Woman charged in death of child thrown into Hillsborough River
  • Family members after Je'Hyrah's death: 'We are all in disbelief'
  • 911 calls give insight into what happened when mother drowned child in Hillsborough River

Family members who talked with Spectrum Bay News 9 are standing by Denson.

"Something drove her to that river to do that," said her aunt, Veronica Denson-Williams. "And I don't think that she would just go take her baby out in the river and just leave her to die. That's not, that's not Kayla. I know for a fact that's not Kayla."

Denson-Williams said she believes some sort of outside influence may have affected Denson's judgment last Thursday when the incident happened.

A child protection investigation wrapped up just days before the drowning and deputies found no signs that Je’hyrah was in any trouble.

Tragically though, on Aug. 2, authorities say Denson stole a car from an auto shop, drove to the river, walked into the water with Je'Hyrah, and left her to drown. 

Divers eventually found the child unconscious and submerged in the water about 75 feet off shore. Je'Hyrah died at the hospital.