A Missouri woman is facing murder charges after an 8-month-old she was sitting for died while in her care.
44-year-old Jennifer Anne Johnson lives in Fayette, Missouri.
On April 17, Johnson reportedly took responsibility for babysitting an 8-month-old and her three siblings while their parents were away overnight.
One of the children is 13, and she left the house early in the evening. She reported that things at the home were fine when she went out.
When the parents arrived at approximately 8:00 am, the door to the home was locked.
They entered the residence and checked on the children, and when they saw the baby she did not seem to be breathing and felt cool to the touch.
Johnson stayed at the residence while the parents took the baby to Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Columbia.
The child did not recover, and it was reported that she died at 8:45 am.
Columbia police were notified about the baby’s death, and they went to the hospital to investigate the cause.
When they were provided images of the infant, the officers said she had abrasions and bruising all over her head, face, and body.
The child’s dad reportedly went back to the house and informed Johnson of the child’s death.
Officers spoke with Johnson about the time she spent babysitting the children, and the woman allegedly told them that she fed the infant a bottle between 2:00 and 3:00 am. She said the baby was fine at that time.
When looking deeper into Johnson’s possible involvement in the infant’s death, the police discovered she placed at least one call to a party who claimed the woman stated, “She’s gone.” It was asserted that Johnson called several others between 8:30 and 9:00 am and mentioned that the infant had injuries on her head.
The shirt that Johnson allegedly wore while babysitting was swabbed by the authorities, and they said it tested positive for blood.
Johnson was taken into custody on April 19. She was booked into the Boone County Jail where she is being held without bond. Johnson is facing charges for suspicion of second-degree murder, first-degree child endangerment, and child abuse.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.