Mom and her girlfriend accused of killing boy, eight, and hiding him in plastic bags
An eight-year-old Ohio boy who was found dead in plastic bags in an attic was allegedly killed by his own mother.
Martonio Wilder was discovered wrapped in a garbage bag in the attic of his Columbus home on June 28, 2024, around six hours after his mom, Lashanda Wilder, reported the boy missing.
The mother, 33, and her girlfriend Johnna Lowe, 34, were both charged with murder, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, and felonious assault.
Wilder had told police that Martonio had run away and that it had happened before, before his body was found at around 6.30pm.
Martonio was found severely malnourished, weighing only 35lb, and dehydrated with signs of blunt force trauma, including multiple bruises and cuts on his face and head, according to the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney.
The Franklin County Coroner's Office determined that the young boy had died from 'deep neck compression.'
His autopsy report said his eyes and stomach were 'sunken' and he had a 'severe loss of muscle mass' allowing for his bones to be clearly visible through his skin.
Lowe, Wilder, and two other children left the home after police arrived with a cadaver dog to assist in the search for Martonio, prompting an amber alert for the two kids.
They were later located with Lowe's mother, 68-year-old Mary Johnson, who is facing obstruction of justice charges.
Lowe pled guilty to murder and abuse of a corpse and was sentenced to twelve months as well as fifteen years to life with the possibility of parole, according to court documents.
The boy's life was described by prosecutor's as 'brutal,' according to ABC News.
'Multiple witnesses and some family members told detectives that Miss Wilder treated Martonio Wilder different than her other sons,' a prosecutor said.
'They spoke about unusual punishments for Martonio, including holding a weighted ball and walking up and down the steps while naked and restricting food.
'Witnesses also stated Martonio was always hungry and stole food from other homes he was at, including his school.'
Lowe had turned herself in to police and prosecutors said she admitted that the couple intended to blame one of Martonio's siblings for his death, the Dispatch reported.
Wilder remains in custody in Franklin County Jail on a $2million bond and is scheduled to appear in court in July.
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