DENISE JOHNSON | A 3-Year-Old Girl Was Found Dead On A Bloody Mattress With Bruises And A Cigarette Burn. Grandmother Charged With Homicide, Abuse Of A Corpse, Aggravated Assault, Corruption Of Minors And Endangering The Welfare Of Children | ALS

Denise Johnson. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Pittsburgh, PA. September 23, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.

Detailed Report on the Case of Denise Johnson and Ayla Miller

Overview

Denise Johnson, a 56-year-old woman from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been charged with multiple serious offenses in connection to the tragic death of her 3-year-old granddaughter, Ayla Miller. The charges include criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, aggravated assault, corruption of minors, and endangering the welfare of children.

Incident Details

On September 1, 2024, Ayla Miller was found deceased in Johnson's apartment by her uncle, who immediately called 911. Emergency responders arrived to find Ayla unresponsive, cold to the touch, and covered in bruises and other injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Injuries and Evidence

Ayla's body exhibited multiple signs of severe abuse:

• Bruises and scratches: Found all over her body and face.

• Burn mark: A wound on her left ankle consistent with a cigarette burn.

• Other injuries: An infected wound on her right ankle and injuries to her neck.

The apartment itself showed signs of violence, with holes in the walls and a broken bedroom door. The electricity had been cut off, and Ayla was found on a bloody mattress.

Timeline and Custody

Ayla had been living with her grandmother for about a month and a half. Her mother, Regina, had left her in Johnson's care and had not noticed any injuries during a FaceTime call a week before Ayla's death.

Confession and Motive

During police questioning, Johnson admitted to beating Ayla with a large wooden stick and other items around the apartment. She claimed the abuse started because Ayla "wouldn't listen." On the day of Ayla's death, Johnson punched her in the face, causing her to fall and hit her head on a coffee table. Johnson then placed Ayla in a bathtub, left her unattended, and later found her underwater but still breathing. She moved Ayla to the mattress, where she remained until discovered by family members.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

Denise Johnson faces the following charges:

• Criminal homicide

• Abuse of a corpse

• Aggravated assault

• Corruption of minors

• Endangering the welfare of children

Conclusion

Johnson's anger and irritation with Ayla Miller's actions resulted in her mistreatment, which progressed to severe physical assault. Johnson acknowledged to beating Ayla with a wooden stick and other items, and on the day she died, she punched her in the face, forcing her to fall and smash her skull on a coffee table. Throughout her confession, Johnson expressed regret and again apologized for her acts. Her actions appear to be motivated by anger and a mistaken attempt to reprimand Ayla, which ultimately led to her death.

The case of Denise Johnson and Ayla Miller is a heartbreaking example of severe child abuse leading to a tragic death. The legal proceedings will determine the full extent of Johnson's culpability and the justice that will be served for Ayla.

VIDEO: Pittsburgh grandmother charged in toddler's beating death at North Side apartment | https://youtu.be/ANB1ZQzoOhA

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