A Porter Ranch mother has been charged with murder in the death of her 3-month-old baby, authorities said Friday.
Jalyn Simone SmithJermott, 21, faces one count of murder and one count of child molestation causing death, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. She is expected to be arraigned Monday and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life if convicted, prosecutors said.
Authorities said the baby was found unable to breathe in his crib on September 10 and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Eric Shannon Johnson, 35, who authorities say is the baby’s father, was also charged with one count of child abuse. He pleaded not guilty Monday and his next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday. If convicted of the charges, he faces up to six years in prison.
“Children, especially babies, depend on their parents and relatives for care and education. It is a deep betrayal when that trust is broken,” Dist. Atty. George Gascón said in a statement.
At Johnson’s arraignment Monday, prosecutors said the baby suffered third-degree burns and a 4-inch head fracture in August, causing blood to pool between the skull and the surface of the brain, ABC7 reported. Prosecutors alleged that Johnson did not seek medical help for the baby out of fear of repercussions from the Department of Children and Family Services, according to the station.
The case is being prosecuted by the Complex Child Abuse Section of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Division and is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
“I want to assure the community that we will pursue these offenders to the fullest extent of the law,” Gascón said. “We owe it to the victim and all children who deserve a safe and loving environment. »
