The death of a 3-year-old child in Cleveland has been ruled a homicide and the child's mother has been arrested and charged with aggravated murder.
Cleveland police said around 9:45 a.m. Friday the child's mother, 23-year-old Danielle Johnson, was arrested in connection with the child's death.
The girl was in full arrest when officers arrived at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital just before 9 p.m. Wednesday. According to police, Johnson took her daughter to the hospital after she was found unresponsive. The child was pronounced dead at the hospital and her death was quickly ruled a homicide.
Family members told police the child had a seizure disorder and that she had a seizure Wednesday evening.
Police said they observed bruising on the girl.
Cleveland police obtained an arrest warrant Friday morning and members of the United States Marshal's Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested Johnson within an hour of the warrant being issued.
Homicide investigators are working with the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office to determine a cause.
Police could not say Friday whether any other family members might face charges.
The family's neighbors told newnet5.com they were disturbed to learn the news, but said child abuse is a growing problem.
"Unfortunately today it is happening more than we know," neighbor Anthony Obleton said. "Somebody knew something."
Linda Johanek, CEO of the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center, told newsnet5.com that Cuyahoga County received more then 13,000 calls of neglect or abuse in 2013.
But she said the intent is rarely murder.
"In that moment they don’t know what to do," she said. "They're either really frustrated, they’re angry they're overwhelmed and that’s the result. I don’t think they intend to hurt their child."
The DVAC Family and Child Advocacy Helpline is 216-391-4357.
