Fort Smith mother again arrested over death of baby

A Fort Smith woman charged in the death of her 18-month-old daughter is back in custody, authorities said.

Sierra Ann Johnson, 20, was arrested for a second time in the case Tuesday, records show.

She was being held Wednesday morning at the Sebastian County jail in lieu of $10,750 bond.

Johnson was charged with permitting the abuse of a minor after authorities determined her daughter died Jan. 30 from blunt-force abdominal trauma.

Tyree La’Mont Williams, a 25-year-old described as Johnson’s live-in-boyfriend, is charged with first-degree murder in the girl’s death.

Johnson was first arrested in the case Feb. 13, authorities said. She posted a $7,500 bond to get out of jail the same day.

Sebastian County Circuit Judge Michael Fitzhugh issued a warrant for Johnson’s arrest again after Sebastian County Prosecutor Daniel Shue filed a petition to revoke a $7,000 bond Johnson posted in January after an arrest on an unrelated drug charge.

The petition said permitting abuse of a minor violated the conditions of the bond for the drug charges.

Johnson pleaded not guilty to the drug charges and is scheduled to go on trial the week of June 11, court records show. Court and police records showed Williams and Johnson took the unconscious child to the Sparks Regional Medical Center emergency room Jan. 30 and doctors were unable to revive her.

A medical examiner determined the child died from injuries to her abdomen and noted she showed bruising from previous abuse.

Under questioning by police, Williams admitted punching Kylah in the stomach “a couple of times,” according to reports.