An Alabama woman, aged 58, is facing charges of felony murder and aggravated child abuse following the death of a 13-year-old boy under her care. Jacqueline E. Adams was arrested last week in connection with the August 2024 death of Ledarius Johnson. The boy was reportedly starved, abused, and repeatedly assaulted with a skillet prior to his demise.
The arrest was made by the U.S. Marshals Service after a comprehensive investigation into Ledarius’ death. The investigation involved the collaboration of several state and federal law enforcement agencies, according to a statement from the City of Calera Police Department.
Police Chief David Hyche emphasized the importance of safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society in a statement about the case. He noted that children, the elderly, and individuals with special needs often lack the means to defend themselves, making them particularly susceptible to exploitation and harm.
Court documents recently made public offer further insight into Ledarius’ final days and the circumstances surrounding his death. On August 8, 2024, authorities responded to a call at a residence in Ivy Hills Circle concerning a medical emergency involving a juvenile male, later identified as Ledarius. The situation rapidly escalated into a cardiac arrest scenario. Despite the efforts of medics at the scene and subsequent treatment at Shelby Baptist Medical Center, Ledarius succumbed to his injuries.
Medical professionals reportedly informed police that Ledarius was severely underweight, weighing only 86 pounds at the time of his death. Circuit Judge Bill Bostick, in an order denying Adams bond, described photographs taken after Ledarius’ death as depicting a severely malnourished and underdeveloped child.
At the time of Ledarius’ death, his twin brother and two other children, aged 14 and 16, were also living in the home under Adams’ care. A search warrant executed at the residence revealed security footage that reportedly exposed disturbing details of abuse.
The footage allegedly showed Ledarius spending most of his final days on the bathroom floor, with minimal access to food or water. It also reportedly showed Adams assaulting Ledarius multiple times with a skillet. During Adams’ bond hearing, a clip was played in which she could allegedly be heard telling Ledarius that she “doesn’t need him” but that “he needs her and she has food and he needs food.”
Judge Bostick’s order denying bond cited the severity of the alleged offenses, the defendant’s pattern of abuse and neglect resulting in the child’s death, her alleged destruction of evidence and delay in seeking medical attention for the dying child, and the likely conviction and sentence.