DeKalb godmother charged with murder in 3-month-old’s death
A DeKalb County woman has been charged with murder for allegedly killing her 3-month-old godson, according to police.
Ramona Odom, of Doraville, said little Dylan LeShane Johnson had fallen off of her bed in the middle of the night, a DeKalb police report stated. But when Dylan’s mother took him to the hospital on Jan. 24, he was diagnosed with skull fractures on both sides of his head, internal bleeding in the front and back of his head, and his lip was split inside his mouth.
A representative of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite called police.
“I only had my baby for three months. It’s not fair,” said Catherine Johnson, the baby’s mother, told Channel 2 Action News.
Johnson told investigators that Odom, Dylan’s godmother, had watched the baby numerous times. But when Odom returned the baby to his mother after an overnight stay, Johnson knew immediately something was wrong.
“I looked at him,” Johnson said. “My baby was pale. He was weak and he was having a seizure.”
Odom was arrested and charged with first-degree child cruelty, according to Capt. Stephen Fore. After Dylan was removed this week from life support and died, the murder charge was added, Fore said.
Dylan was an organ donor, and doctors were able to find two infant matches, Johnson said.
“They found a donor for his heart and a donor for his liver,” Johnson said. “My son saved two lives. That’s the only thing keeping us stronger right now. He is my only child. I really believe Dylan was put here to save those two babies that he saved and ultimately, he saved us.”
An online fundraising page has been set up to assist the family with medical and funeral costs.
