Day-Care Operator Denies Killing By Abuse

Tue., June 16, 1998

From Staff

Day-care operator Robin Johnson pleaded innocent Monday to homicide by abuse in the death of a 16-month-old girl in her care.

Johnson, 33, was arraigned Monday in Snohomish County Superior Court. If convicted, she faces a possible prison sentence of 20 to 26 years. Trial was set for Oct. 9.

She has been placed on suicide watch in the Snohomish County jail, KOMO-TV reported. She is held on $250,000 bail.

The girl, Charlotte Wetzel, died June 3 of a blow to the abdomen.

Johnson’s lawyer, Royce Ferguson, said the woman may be suffering from post-partum depression following the birth of her youngest child, now 11 months old.

Prosecutors said in court papers that Johnson admitted slapping the Wetzel girl, stuffing a blanket in her mouth to stop her crying and kicking her in the stomach.

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