Michigan Mom Accused of Killing Infant Son By Strapping Him in Car Seat for Days without Food or Water

On Monday, a 22-year-old Michigan woman was charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse for the death of her six-month-old son.

According to reports, Lovily K. Johnson showed up to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital on July 19 with the body of her infant son, Noah Johnson.

“Upon arrival, Noah was clearly deceased and had been for some time,” Wyoming Detective Robert Meredith said in an affidavit, revealing that the mother had admitted that the baby was under her supervision for the last four days.

“Johnson admitted to being at home multiple times a day during that time frame,” Meredith continued, alleging that Johnson abused her son at a home on McKee Avenue, where she was staying. “She knowingly and intentionally deprived him of the necessities of life by not feeding him since Monday evening. During this time, Noah remained buckled in a car seat on the upper floor of Johnson’s apartment with no air conditioning.”

Hours after Johnson arrived at the hospital, she was arrested. Two days later, Johnson’s two-year-old daughter was placed under the supervision of the state.

On Monday, Johnson stood before a judge and was read her charges. Initially, she revealed that she did not understand the charges. So, the judge reiterated saying, “Well, let me make it really clear. They alleged you killed a young child and that you physically abused it. Does that make sense to you?”

Johnson agreed and was subsequently denied bond. If convicted, Johnson faces a mandatory life sentence.  

In the meantime, the mother is also facing probation violation stemming from a 2016 embezzlement conviction.