In a tragic turn of events on March 28, 2023, in Lafayette, Indiana, 16-month-old Isiah Johnson, a Black male, lost his life in a shooting incident inside his family's apartment at the Romney Meadows complex. The fatal shot was fired by his 5-year-old brother, who discovered a handgun in the residence. At the time of the incident, the children's father, 27-year-old Deonta Jermaine Johnson, was reportedly asleep in the apartment, while the mother, 24-year-old Shatia Tiara Welch, was not
present.
The subsequent investigation by the Lafayette Police Department unveiled a distressing home environment. Investigators found approximately 93 fentanyl pills, around 400 grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia within the apartment. Toxicology reports revealed the presence of marijuana in Isiah's system, and his 5-year-old brother tested positive for cocaine. Surveillance footage showed Deonta Johnson moving an item from the apartment to a car just before police arrived, which was later discovered to be the marijuana.
Both Deonta Jermaine Johnson and Shatia Tiara Welch were later arrested and are facing multiple felony charges, including neglect of a dependent resulting in death, neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury, and drug-related offenses. Johnson also faces an additional charge of obstruction of justice. Welch informed authorities that the handgun belonged to her and was supposed to be secured in a lockbox, for which she had misplaced a set of keys. The case has been forwarded to the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor's Office for review and to determine the final charges.
