Court documents reveal extent of injuries to murdered 9-day-old
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — New court documents reveal disturbing information about the death of a 9-day-old infant and the charges her parents face.
On Saturday, May 4, Hilary D. Johnson, 23, and Z’ibreyea S. Parker, 21, were taken into custody and charged with child abuse in connection with the death of their 9-day-old infant, which Norfolk police say had been ruled a homicide.
NPD: 9-day-old infant death a homicide, 2 charged
Johnson and Parker were both arraigned separately on one count each of second-degree murder on May 8.
According to court documents, when the baby, I’ijayah Johnson, was brought to the hospital, she was cold to the touch and showed signs of abuse, including lacerations, burns to the feet, bruises and signs of shaken baby syndrome.
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When asked about the burns to the feet, Parker stated that she “did not think the injuries were all that serious,” and instead opted to treat the burns only using Witch Hazel and other home remedies.
Johnson, who was in court on May 8, was uncooperative during the hearing and had to “repeatedly be asked to speak up,” according to documents. Johnson claimed it could not be proven he “did it” due to him bringing I’ijayah to the hospital.
Both Johnson and Parker were considered homeless, according to the document, after being kicked out by Johnson’s grandfather shortly after the birth of I’ijayah.
The full court documents for Johnson and Parker can be found below:
Zibreyea-Parker-4_1-combinedDownload
Both Johnson and Parker are scheduled to have bond hearings May 14 and preliminary hearings on July 18. They are currently being held at Norfolk City Jail without bond.
Check with WAVY.com for more updates.
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