Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stated that a nearly 3-year-old toddler appeared more like a 3-month-old after her parents starved her to death.
Regis Johnson, 37, and Arhonda Tillman, 35, the child’s parents, have been arrested and charged with neglect. Sheriff Judd stated that additional charges could be brought, FOX13 reported.
Polk County deputies stated that they also arrested Johnson’s brother, Frank Robinson, 64, who resided inside the residence where the child was found. According to investigators, Robinson was conscious of the abuse but did not report it.
Arhonda Tillman informed investigators that she is 4 months pregnant with her 2nd child.
When deputies responded, there were no additional children in the house.
According to the sheriff’s office, Johnson dialed 911 after seeing the infant wasn’t breathing. She was discovered unconscious in an inflatable swimming pool that was being used as a playpen.
Deputies questioned Tillman, who indicated she would have called the authorities sooner but had been busy, according to Judd.
Judd stated that the parents were very well-fed and that there was food available in the home when the child’s body was found.
The official cause of death was still being investigated.
According to Judd, the child was delivered in 2019 and was healthy, weighing 6 pounds and 10 ounces. According to Judd, the child weighed only 9 pounds when she died this week.
The child was examined by a doctor in January 2020, and she seemed to be healthy at the time. She ONLY gained one ounce between then and May 2022.
