Background: Lee County Police arrest murder suspect Johnisha Cole (Lee County Sheriff’s Office). Inset: Johnisha Cole (Lee County Sheriff’s Office).
A Florida woman who allegedly conducted internet searches about signing away her parental rights was arrested and charged with the killing of her 4-month-old baby.
Johnisha Cole, 32, was arrested on Friday by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office following an investigation into the death of her baby. In a Facebook post that included body camera footage of Cole’s arrest, police said they first reported to Cole’s home in September after a report that an infant was choking and fell unconscious. The baby was taken to the hospital and was eventually pronounced dead. After a preliminary investigation into the baby’s injuries, which the police described as “cruel,” the medical examiner ruled the manner of death as a homicide.
The detectives who investigated the case said that Cole “never had explanations” for the injuries seen on her baby, which included “femur and multiple rib fractures, large areas of bruising, and severe abdominal bloating.” The cause of death was abusive head trauma, according to the medical examiner.
According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation included a search of Cole’s phone and internet history, which yielded suspicious results. Cole allegedly searched online for answers to “How long do you have to make a police report?” and “How to sign away parental rights?” She also allegedly sent texts to others implying that she wanted the baby to die and that she had shaken her.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said in the post, “This case is cruel, and this infant endured deadly abuse from its mother her entire life. My heart breaks for this child, but my detectives dedicated themselves to bringing her justice by digging for evidence and making an arrest. I know my detectives will continue to work with the State Attorney’s Office to secure a conviction.”
Cole was charged with manslaughter and aggravated child abuse. She is being held without bail and is set to appear in court on Jan. 13.
