Published July 25, 2023 at 9:18 p.m. ET
Police tape tapes off a crime scene in this file photo. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
LAFAYETTE, IND. — Prosecutors have filed neglect and drug charges against the parents of a 16-month-old boy shot and killed by his 5-year-old brother after the older child found a handgun in their apartment.
Charges against Deonta Jermaine Johnson, 27, and Shatia Tiara Welch, 24, of Lafayette, were unsealed Tuesday following their arrests the day before in LaPorte, news outlets reported.
The shooting of Isiah Johnson took place March 28 at the Romney Meadows Apartments in Lafayette, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) north of Indianapolis.
Isiah, who died of a gunshot wound to the head, had marijuana in his blood and his brother tested positive for cocaine, prosecutors said.
Deonta Johnson was sleeping in the apartment at the time of the shooting, authorities said. Welch was not present.
After the shooting, police found 93 fentanyl pills, marijuana and paraphernalia inside the apartment, prosecutors said.
Welch told police she owned the gun, but usually kept it locked in a box under her bed.
Johnson also faces an obstruction of justice charge for removing marijuana from the apartment before police arrived after the shooting, prosecutors said.
Online court records did not list attorneys for Johnson and Welch who could comment on the allegations against them.
