Arizona – In a heartbreaking incident in Arizona, a 26-year-old mother, identified as W. Johnson, is facing charges of first-degree murder and child abuse after the death of her 3-month-old daughter, which prosecutors believe was caused by an improper ‘chiropractic move’ the mother performed.
On March 11, the police officers responded to a call from the hospital concerning a potential child abuse case. The mother, had arrived at the hospital with her daughter, who was experiencing severe medical complications.
Initially, Johnson reported that her daughter woke up with seizures early that morning. Rather than seeking immediate medical help, Johnson asked her brother to look up the symptoms online and wrapped the infant in a blanket, “believing her child was cold and went back to sleep.” According to authorities, the mother said the seizure stopped and she did not call 911. It was only after a second seizure occurred, which Johnson’s roommate captured on video, that the child was taken to a hospital. Once there, doctors determined the 3-month-old girl was in critical condition and was subsequently airlifted to another hospital for treatment.
Medical staff at the hospital discovered the infant had sustained multiple severe injuries, including a bleeding in the brain, broken ribs, and injuries to the liver. Two days after being admitted, on March 13, the infant succumbed to her injuries. An autopsy later confirmed that these injuries were consistent with physical abuse and not accidental. During the investigation, Johnson changed her initial statement, admitting to police that she had performed a chiropractic move to adjust her 3-month-old daughter’s back the day before the initial seizure. Johnson confessed that she learned the technique from her sister and acknowledged she had no chiropractic training, describing her actions as “probably reckless.”
This case has not only led to Johnson’s arrest but also stirred deep emotions in the community, highlighting severe risks associated with untrained medical interventions at home. Johnson demonstrated the adjustment on a doll during her interaction with police, further admitting the potential harm her actions could have caused. Johnson’s sister, during her interview with authorities, denied teaching Johnson any such adjustment technique, distancing herself from the events leading to the child’s death.
The investigation into this tragic event continues, with police examining all aspects of the incident, including Johnson’s admission and the potential involvement of other parties. Her next court appearance is scheduled for September 3, where further details are expected to emerge. Johnson remains in custody at the county’s jail on a $1 million cash-only bond. This case has underscored the critical importance of immediate medical intervention when a child shows signs of distress and the dangers of unqualified individuals performing medical procedures. The community and local authorities are calling for increased awareness and education on child safety to prevent such incidents in the future.
