W.Va. Man Convicted of Toddler's Death

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Posted: 1:16 PM Aug 27, 2008
Last Updated: 1:16 PM Aug 27, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com

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PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (AP) - A Parkersburg man has been convicted of murder of a child by guardian or custodian in the January 2007 death of his girlfriend's 15-month-old daughter.

The Wood County Circuit Court jury returned the guilty verdict Tuesday.

Thirty-one-year-old William Ryan Johnson faces up to life in prison when sentenced on Nov. 3.

The state medical examiner determined that Jada Whited died of multiple blunt force trauma to the head.

The defense said the toddler could have received the injuries from falling down stairs. Prosecutors said the injuries weren't consistent with such an accident.

Whited's mother, Stephanie White, pleaded guilty last December to child neglect resulting in death and was sentenced to three to 15 years in prison.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: sweetpea on Aug 27, 2008 at 09:41 PM
i wonder why someone anyone couldnt have interviened for this child before her life was taken. It is too often that children are caught in the middle of bad relationships circumstance and parents who are to unstable for healthy homes. I hope this starts some type of awareness. There are warning signs and there are people who can help god bless

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 27, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Why don't people just give up rights to their children istead of abusing and in this case til death. I think more of someonr that will admit to not wanting the child or not capable of taking care of them . Just give them to the state and let them find homes for them. They should play videos of this child 24/7 in thier cells to always keep reminding them of what they done.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 27, 2008 at 01:50 PM
good anyone that takes a life a baby should go to prison for a long long time. and die the same way they killed the infant or toddler.

Posted by: Amy Jo on Aug 27, 2008 at 01:38 PM
I hope they both rot in jail. That poor child didn't deserve any of that. God bless that little girls soul. People like that shouldn't ever get to see the light of day again. They should be done the way she was.

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