A disturbing case of alleged child abuse has led to the arrest and prosecution of Denise Johnson, a 56-year-old Pennsylvania woman, who now faces a multitude of severe charges stemming from the tragic death of her 3-year-old granddaughter.
According to law enforcement officials, Johnson subjected the innocent child to a brutal beating, subsequently abandoning her in bed, where she tragically succumbed to her injuries.
Court documents reveal that Johnson has been charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, and abuse of a corpse.
SUN NEWS reports that no attorney for Johnson was listed in court records.
Pittsburgh police said officers responded to a home around 11:30 a.m. on September 1 regarding a “suspicious death” at the location
Upon arrival, officers found 3-year-old Ayla Miller “cold to the touch,” according to KDKA
A criminal complaint, cited by WPXI, stated that Ayla had been in Johnson’s care for a month and a half
When Ayla was discovered, she had injuries to her neck and hip, bruises on her face and body, and what appeared to be a cigarette burn on her ankle, the complaint stated, as reported by the news outlet
During questioning, Johnson admitted to hitting Ayla, which she said caused the child to fall and hit her head, according to a criminal complaint obtained by WTAE
Johnson reportedly told investigators that Ayla didn’t wake up afterward and that she was too afraid to inform anyone for two days, the outlet reported, citing the complaint
In a phone call after Ayla’s body was found, Johnson allegedly admitted to punching Ayla in the face, causing her to fall, and expressed regret, according to WPXI, citing the complaint
She said she kept Ayla in bed “for the next few days until she died,” as noted in the complaint
Another child in the home told police they witnessed Johnson beating Ayla with a wooden stick until the girl could no longer move, according to the complaint referenced by WTAE.
The child said Johnson then instructed them to fetch her belt, which she used to continue beating Ayla, the complaint said, as reported by the outlet.
Johnson is currently being held without bond, according to court records.