icewater
03-22-2007, 11:06 AM
For Immediate Release: 03/21/2007
Prepared by: Mike Wilson/SCMPDInformation/SavGa
SCMPD arrests two in death of toddler
Two people are being charged in connection with savagely abusing and killing a 2-year-old boy. The toddler, Quawee Lee, was left in the care of the suspects around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, and was pronounced dead at Memorial Health University Medical Center 4 hours later. An autopsy performed Wednesday revealed the boy died from blunt force trauma and a history of physical abuse.
Detectives interviewed the caretakers and implicated them as the people responsible for Quawee's death. Shonna Johnson, 27, of Savannah, is being charged with murder. Joe Johnson, 29, is charged with first-degree criminal cruelty to a child. They are both in the Chatham County jail. The pair will be arraigned Thursday at 1 p.m. in Recorder's Court.
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police began investigating after responding to an apartment at 5013 Ogeechee Road on a report of a sick child. The report originated from the apartment where the caller told police that they were caring for the child when he began vomiting and became unresponsive. Paramedics arrived and rushed him to the hospital.
When police arrived on the scene, they met with the Johnsons briefly. The Johnsons told police that the child had been dropped off by a boyfriend of the child's mother, but did not know where or how to contact her.
The child was dead upon arrival at the hospital. Detectives from the Special Victim's Unit responded to the hospital and met with doctors.
They observed what appeared to be ligature marks around the child's wrists and ankles where he had apparently been bound. Police and medical officials observed other very graphic signs of abuse, including burns and abrasions.
Police are now seeking Quawee's mother, Shatoya Lee, 26, for questioning. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lee is urged to call police at 232-4141.
Prepared by: Mike Wilson/SCMPDInformation/SavGa
SCMPD arrests two in death of toddler
Two people are being charged in connection with savagely abusing and killing a 2-year-old boy. The toddler, Quawee Lee, was left in the care of the suspects around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, and was pronounced dead at Memorial Health University Medical Center 4 hours later. An autopsy performed Wednesday revealed the boy died from blunt force trauma and a history of physical abuse.
Detectives interviewed the caretakers and implicated them as the people responsible for Quawee's death. Shonna Johnson, 27, of Savannah, is being charged with murder. Joe Johnson, 29, is charged with first-degree criminal cruelty to a child. They are both in the Chatham County jail. The pair will be arraigned Thursday at 1 p.m. in Recorder's Court.
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police began investigating after responding to an apartment at 5013 Ogeechee Road on a report of a sick child. The report originated from the apartment where the caller told police that they were caring for the child when he began vomiting and became unresponsive. Paramedics arrived and rushed him to the hospital.
When police arrived on the scene, they met with the Johnsons briefly. The Johnsons told police that the child had been dropped off by a boyfriend of the child's mother, but did not know where or how to contact her.
The child was dead upon arrival at the hospital. Detectives from the Special Victim's Unit responded to the hospital and met with doctors.
They observed what appeared to be ligature marks around the child's wrists and ankles where he had apparently been bound. Police and medical officials observed other very graphic signs of abuse, including burns and abrasions.
Police are now seeking Quawee's mother, Shatoya Lee, 26, for questioning. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lee is urged to call police at 232-4141.