COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two women who are charged in connection to the death of an 8-year-old boy turned themselves in Saturday evening, according to the Columbus Division of Police.
Police said the mother of the boy, 32-year-old LaShanda Wilder, and her girlfriend, 33-year-old Johnna Lowe, turned themselves in around 5 p.m. They were each processed and taken to the Franklin County jail.
LaShanda is charged with murder and obstruction of justice. Lowe is charged with obstruction of justice.
Arrest warrants were issued for LaShanda and Lowe after a body believed to be Martonio Wilder was found inside the attic of a Columbus home Friday evening.
Franklin County Municipal Court records say the coroner's office ruled the death of Martonio a homicide. Records also say the coroner found "deep neck compression" on the child.
Officers were called to a home in the 1000 block of Olmstead Avenue on reports of a missing child Friday afternoon. When officers arrived, they spoke to LaShanda, who reported that Martonio was last seen between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday when he was put to bed.
Records from the Franklin County Municipal Court show officers searched the home without success, and the Missing Persons Unit responded.
Detectives had a K-9 cadaver dog called in to search the home. Court records say, at that time, LaShanda became "uncooperative" and didn't want the dog inside her home. She left the area with Lowe and two other children.
Around 6:20 p.m. on Friday, a body matching the description of Martonio was found hidden in the home's attic in a trash bag and sleeping bag cover, according to records. Firefighters pronounced him dead at 6:33 p.m. Foul play is suspected.
Around 9 p.m. Friday, an AMBER Alert was issued for Martonio's two young siblings and LaShanda. The two siblings were safely located at Lowe's home with her mother on East 18th Avenue a short time later. LaShanda and Lowe were not there.
Detectives and family members tried to reach both women with no success.
LaShanda and Lowe left during the active investigation and did not call detectives to explain their disappearance or ask about the investigation, court records say. They turned themselves in Saturday and have an arraignment scheduled for Monday in court.