Murder charges filed against mother, girlfriend after boy, 8, found dead in attic

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Two women, including an 8-year-old boy’s mother, have been indicted on murder charges by a grand jury in connection with the death of the child whose body was found hidden in an attic.

Lashanda Wilder, 32, the mother of 8-year-old Martonio Wilder, and her girlfriend Johnna Lowe, 33, were both indicted Monday on murder, felonious assault, endangering children, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence charges, according to online court records. The grand jury charges replace the pair’s original charges and moves the case to Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

The one piece missing before Ohio recreational marijuana sales can begin

According to Columbus police, on June 28, Lashanda Wilder called 911 to report Martonio Wilder was missing. When officers arrived at the home and began a search, Lashanda Wilder became uncooperative and left the scene with Lowe and her two other children, ages 9 and 3, court records state.

Police found Martonio Wilder’s body in a garbage bag inside another bag in the home’s attic around 6:30 p.m. that day. An Amber Alert was issued a few hours later for the other children, but they were soon located at the home of an acquaintance of Lowe.

According to the Franklin County Coroner’s Office, Martonio Wilder died from “deep neck compression.”

North Carolina drowning victim from Columbus identified

Lashanda Wilder and Lowe turned themselves in on June 29; Lashanda was initially charged with murder and Lowe was initially charged with obstruction of justice.

Lashanda Wilder and Lowe are in custody at Franklin County Jail and are scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.