Woman Blames Jesus for Death of 7-Month-Old Daughter: 'He Came Down and Took Her to Heaven'
A woman in Clarksville, Tennessee is being held for a psychological evaluation after being charged with the homicide of her 7-month-old daughter. Stefany Paige Johnson is accused of murdering daughter Astrid, but told police that "Jesus came down" and took the child to heaven.
Johnson was reportedly running naked, screaming in the road when authorities responded to the reports of her actions. When the authorities entered the home, they found Astrid unconscious on the couch. Johnson was "uncooperative and belligerent" when police arrived, according to the Clarksville Police report.
"Jesus came down and took Astrid to heaven," while she was bathing the girl, Johnson told police when asked what happened. That was the only explanation she gave, leading to authorities calling for a psychological evaluation.
Authorities determined that negligence caused Astrid's death, and she has been charged with homicide. She has yet to be formally arraigned and will not be so until the psychological evaluation is complete. Meanwhile, her family is supporting Johnson, who has another child.
"I've been in contact," Johnson's attorney, Chris Clark, told The Leaf Chronicle. "The family – specifically, the Italiano family – is standing behind Mrs. Johnson. They just ask that I relay that they would like everyone to respect their privacy as they mourn the loss of a loved one."
"Ultimately, the juvenile court judge will make the determination," he said when asked about the young boy's future. "Obviously, that's often in consultation with the department. Ideally, you try to find family members or relatives who can take a child in if there is not a parent who can do so. In this specific case, though, I couldn't say, because of confidentiality laws."
According to neighbors, Johnson is a member of a military family, with the father deployed in Afghanistan. Further details have not been released about the father or whether he will be returning to tend to his son.
Police ask that anyone with information contact that 931-648-0656.
