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 felony assault of a child causing death, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. She is scheduled to be arraigned Monday and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.
Authorities said the baby was found not breathing in his bassinet on Sept. 10 and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Eric Shannon Johnson, 35, who authorities say is the baby's father, has also been charged with felony 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 the care and nurturing of their parents and loved ones. It is a deep betrayal when that trust is shattered”, Dist. Lawyer. George Gascón said in a statement.
During Johnson's arraignment on Monday, prosecutors said the baby suffered third-degree burns and a 4-inch head fracture in August, which caused blood to pool between the skull and the surface of the brain, he reported. ABC7. 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 Family Violence Division and investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
“I want to assure the community that we will prosecute these offenders to the fullest extent of the law,” Gascón said. “We owe it to the victim and to all the children who deserve a safe and loving environment.”
