Davenport couple arrested after toddler dies weighing 9.5 pounds
A couple from Davenport was arrested after their 2-year-old daughter died suffering from longterm starvation, according to the Polk County Sheriff ’s Office.
On Wednesday, homicide detectives with the Sheriff’s Office arrested 57-year-old Regis Johnson and 35-year-old Arhonda Tillman for negligent child abuse.
An autopsy on the victim performed by the District 10 Medical Examiner’s Office determined she had no food in her stomach and weighed 9.5 pounds when she died, PCSO said.
Deputies and Polk County’s fire rescue staff responded to an unresponsive child call Tuesday, according to the affidavit. The girl was found deceased in an inflatable pool that was being used as a playpen.
Detectives contacted the victim’s pediatrician who said there were concerns the child may have cystic fibrosis and that the medical office attempted to make contact with the parents numerous times. The last doctor’s visit was in January 2020, according to the investigation report.
Johnson, the toddler’s father, told detectives his daughter hadn’t wanted to eat much for the past two days, and when he tried to feed her she would only take a few bites. Tillman,
the victim’s mother, told detectives that she attempted to feed the child a turkey sandwich Monday night, but the victim did not want to eat.
The arrest report states neither Johnson nor Tillman could correctly recall when the child had last seen a doctor. Tillman told detectives her daughter could crawl but not walk. Johnson said he knew his daughter was “not gaining weight and not developing as normal.”
According to the affidavit, detectives learned the Department of Children and Families began an investigation into the well-being of the child in December 2019.
The DCF investigation revealed the victim was consistently losing weight and her parents were not following-up with doctor appointments, according to the arrest report.
DCF closed the investigation after several positive weight checks and an understanding with the parents that they would follow up with the victim’s primary care physician.
Johnson and Tillman were transported to the Polk County Jail where they are being held without bond.
“This is egregious and should never have occurred,” Sheriff Grady Judd said in a prepared statement. “Because of the actions of these parents, this little girl will never have the opportunity to grow up. If parents don’t want their child, there are resources like Safe Place locations — fire stations, social service facilities, etc.”