Sacramento Mom Tells CBS13 She Didn't Starve Disabled Daughter To Death
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A mom accused of murdering her own developmentally disabled daughter claims in a CBS13 jailhouse interview she didn't starve her to death.
Sacramento investigators won't say how the victim died, but they say the evidence is disturbing.
Shelia Johnson admits she should have acted a lot sooner.
"Well, I knew she needed more nutrition, sir," she said.
Johnson is accused of abuse and murder in the death of her 37-year-old developmentally disabled daughter Monique.
"She didn't walk. She didn't talk. She do anything," she said.
Johnson says she and her other daughter, Ravetra Jones, were at their Sacramento home on Feb. 12 when the victim stopped breathing.
"My daughter was right there. Started CPR," Johnson said. "She just looked up and was unresponsive when we were calling her."
She would die at the UC Davis Medical Center. After an autopsy by the Sacramento County coroner, Johnson and Jones were arrested this week.
"We were both taking care of her and she had just quit eating," Johnson said.
She admits her daughter was losing and gaining weight often, and it was a problem that had plagued her for years.
"What I'm trying to explain to you is that she's gotten this small several times in her lifetime and bounced back," Johnson said.
She didn't survive this time.
Jones is also accused of stealing from Monique and getting paid more than $25,000 for in-home care services never provided. CBS13 has also learned Jones has been arrested on other financial crimes in the past, including welfare fraud.
"We asked God for help sir that's what we did," Johnson said.
We continued to press Johnson about why the victim wasn't ever taken to a doctor.
"I don't really have a whole lot of faith in doctors, even when it comes to me," Johnson said.
She is currently trying to find a lawyer.
