Toddler Weighing Under 10 Pounds Found Dead, Parents Charged: Sheriff

POLK COUNTY, FL — A toddler who weighed less than 10 pounds died of long-term starvation in a Davenport home on Monday, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

The child's parents, Regis Johnson, 57, and Arhonda Tillman, 35, were arrested Tuesday after paramedics found the toddler in a playpen made out of an inflatable swimming pool, Judd said.

The parents face charges of aggravated child neglect, and Judd said his department intends to increase those charges to murder after the medical examination is done. Tillman and Johnson remained in the Polk County Jail without bond.

The baby died at 34 months old, a sheriff's office news release said.

"We are going to log as many charges as we can, and the investigation is underway," Judd said. "Because we probably have the same questions you do. Did anyone else see this child in this condition? That's under investigation at this moment in time. This child just didn't get sick and pass. People had to watch this child who should have been up running and playing and talking to mama and dada."

According to Judd, a baby at 34 months old should weigh about 32 pounds. The baby weighed 9.5 pounds when she died Tuesday, authorities said.

Tillman gave birth to the baby on July 25, 2019, and the child weighed 6 pounds and 10 ounces at birth, authorities said.

Judd said the kitchen had food.

Deputies said Tillman told them she is four months pregnant. That has not been confirmed by medical staff, Judd said.

Department Of Children And Families Investigations

According to medical records, Tillman and Johnson took their baby to the doctor on Jan. 2, 2020, and she had gained 3 pounds since her birth. This appointment followed a Department of Children and Families investigation on Dec. 10, 2019, that accused the parents of medical neglect of the baby.

The arrest affidavit said the DCF investigation in December 2019 showed the baby was consistently losing weight and the victim's parents were not following up with appointments

Investigators said the child may have had cystic fibrosis. She had been tested in July 2019, but the results were inconclusive. The victim's parents were supposed to have their daughter tested again.

As a result of this investigation, the child was seen at the Children Home Society, and the girl began gaining weight. After several positive weight checks, Regis was instructed to follow up with the child's primary care doctor and the investigation was closed, authorities said.

From the day of that doctor's visit on Jan. 2, 2020, to the day she died, the child only gained an ounce, Judd said. The parents are accused of not taking the baby back to the doctor following the 2020 visit.

"There was food in the house. Regis Johnson, the dad, told us, 'Oh, the baby ate a sandwich yesterday. And some chicken nuggets last evening. And drank.' Well, that's just a bald-faced lie," Judd said.

Deputies said Johnson told them that at approximately 5:15 a.m., he placed the girl in the makeshift playpen and that she was playing with various toys in the playpen. Johnson said after a short amount of time he went to check on the victim and discovered she was cold to the touch and was not breathing, deputies said. Johnson told authorities he immediately dialed 911, according to the arrest affidavit.

The arrest affidavit said Polk County deputies and EMS responded to the home at 8:39 a.m.

Judd said Tillman told authorities she had been trying to call 911 but the line was busy.

The Medical Examination Of Starving Baby

The medical examination showed that the child had no food in her stomach, according to Judd, and only slight traces of fecal matter in the intestines.

"The child suffered long-term starvation," Judd said.

The arrest affidavit said, "The victim was dressed in a green shirt, a diaper, and a pair of socks. The victim appeared to be extremely thin and malnourished to point of appearing skeletal and lacking normal muscular development."

Medical Examiner Dr. Vera Volnikh said in the arrest affidavit Wednesday that based on the victim's weight of 9 pounds and 5 ounces, the girl suffered from long-term starvation. Volnikh said the victim was extremely malnourished and was not fed consistently.

Judd urged anyone who sees a child being neglected and abused, to help the child.

"If you see something or hear something, for God's sake say something. Children's lives are at stake if you don't," Judd said.

Florida law requires mandatory reporting if anyone witnesses child abuse or child neglect.

Florida residents can anonymously report child abuse to the following organizations:

• Florida Network Of Children's Advocacy Network
• Florida Abuse Hotline
• Your local police department
• Department of Children and Families
• Domestic Violence Support