20-year-old Arkansas mother arrested in death of toddler

Sierra Johnson
Sierra Johnson

A 20-year-old Arkansan was arrested Tuesday after an investigation into the death of her 18-month-old daughter, authorities said.

Sierra Ann Johnson of Fort Smith is charged with permitting the abuse of a minor, according to police.

Tyree La'Mont Williams, the 25-year-old said to be Johnson's live-in boyfriend, was charged with first-degree murder in the girl's death after the Arkansas medical examiner's office concluded the child died Jan. 30 from blunt-force abdominal trauma, Arkansas Online previously reported.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Williams told authorities he punched the child in the stomach "a couple of times" and struck her, leaving bruises on her body. He pleaded not guilty Wednesday.

The 25-year-old is scheduled to appear in court again June 27. As of Tuesday afternoon, he was being held at the Sebastian County jail in lieu of $526,000 bond, records show. Johnson was also being held there, with bail not yet set.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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