How Could You? Hall of Shame-Jaeluv Smith case-Child Death

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Fresno, California, guardian Patrick Johnson and his wife Crystal were “arrested after an 8-year-old boy was allegedly beaten to death, police said.

The police arrested Patrick Johnson, 49, the boy’s legal guardian and his wife, Crystal Johnson, 47, Tuesday. They are accused of killing 8-year-old Jaeluv Smith.

Patrick has been charged with murder and Crystal has been booked on charges of felony child abuse, police said in a news release.

Smith was found unresponsive and not breathing at the couple’s home Saturday. The emergency officials tried to revive him but he did not survive. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Due to there being no known medical conditions for the child, homicide detectives were called to the scene and they began an investigation,” Lt. Rob Beckwith with Fresno Police Department said, ABC 30 reported.

The coroner’s office ruled the death a homicide caused by severe blunt force trauma. However, the officials have not revealed the details of the injuries.

Smith lived with two of his siblings, a 10-year-old brother and a 13-year-old sister, at the couple’s home. Patrick has been the legal guardian as well as a relative of the children, police sources confirmed. However, his exact relationship with the kids is unknown. The investigators believe that there was a custody agreement or they may have been in the middle of an adoption process.

The couple had two previous referrals to Child Protective Services before the incident.

“Anytime you have a loss of life, it’s tragic, but with an 8-year-old child, it’s just, it’s very sad, it’s heartbreaking,” Beckwith added.”

8-Year-Old Boy Beaten To Death, Couple Arrested
[International Business Times 4/22/21 by Suneeta Sunny]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update: “Crystal Johnson is due in court on June 24. Patrick plead not guilty to all charges according to the Court case lookup in Fresno County, California.