"Why are we being charged with murder?" cried the other half of the parents facing cases of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse. James Johnson III and Amber Johnson are in court following the accidental death of their 2-year old daughter, Monika Johnson, who died from drowning at the neighbor's pool.
At 10:25 p.m., the daughter, 2, and son, 3, of the Johnsons sneaked to the neighbor's house by climbing a fence without their parents knowing. The couple's other child stayed at home while they were in deep slumber (via Detroit Free Press).
The Johnsons' daughter, Monika, got into a ladder and fell into the pool. The neighbor saw the unconscious girl from her window and after administering CPR that led to no avail, she took her to the hospital. Unfortunately, the hospital was not able to revive Monika and after a day, she was declared dead. Meanwhile, the young boy never got into the water and was saved from harm (via CBS Detroit).
Dearborn Police Lt. Gary Mann said that this was not the first time the Johnson parents were caught negligent of their children's whereabouts. Once, the children were seen strolling around the neighborhood without any guardian (via Detroit Free Press).
What is causing problems for the Johnson parents may perhaps be concerned with money. The court found out that Amber Johnson is a dancer at a night club and James Johnson III, is unemployed and has been doing "odd jobs." Recently, they were sent a notice to leave their house for not paying fees (via Daily Mail).
Police believed that if the Johnson parents took care of their young children properly, the death of their daughter, Monika, would have not happened. Unfortunately, the damage has been done and the death it caused cannot be retracted.
"The alleged actions and inactions of the defendants in the case defy common sense. Once again, we are left with a child whose death was completely preventable," said Wayne Country Prosecutor Kym Worth as quoted by CBS Detroit.
As per CBS Detroit, the Johnson parents would be returning to court on June 24. A preliminary examination will follow on July 1.
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