5-Y-O Boy High on Cocaine Fatally Shoots 1-Y-O Brother Who Had Marijuana in His System

July 28, 2023

The parents of two boys are now facing multiple charges of neglect after their 5-year-old son, who was recently revealed to be on cocaine, shot and killed his 1-year-old brother.

Additional details of the incident were revealed following the arrest of the boy’s parents, 27-year-old Deonta Jermaine Johnson and 24-year-old Shatia Tiara Welch. According to reports, 16-month-old Isiah Johnson was fatally shot in the head by his elder brother with a handgun while his father was reportedly asleep on the couch.

The 5-year-old later tested positive for cocaine, while marijuana was discovered in the deceased toddler’s system. Welch told police that the gun belonged to her, but it was usually kept locked away in a box under her bed.

Welch said the gun had been taken out of the box the weekend prior to the March 28 incident, and she could not remember if it had been locked away after.

Deonta Jermaine Johnson and Shatia Tiara Welch Image – Facebook / Shatia Welch via the New York Post

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Drug paraphernalia, 93 fentanyl pills, and marijuana were discovered at Welch and Johnson’s residence in Lafayette, Indiana, USA, after their child’s death. Prior to the shooting, Welch was brought up on charges of possessing and dealing narcotics and marijuana.

Johnson and Welch were arrested on Monday and are currently facing charges of neglect resulting in death, neglect resulting in bodily injury, and neglect of a dependent, as well as drug dealing and possession charges.

Johnson is facing an additional charge of obstruction of justice after he allegedly tried to hide the marijuana that was in their home before the police arrived.