HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A Harris County man has been sentenced for his role in causing the injuries that led to the death of a 2-year-old boy.
Johvonte Johnson pleaded guilty to a murder charge in the death of 2-year-old Tevin Jefferson in 2021. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
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The mother of Jefferson, Darrielle Williams, is also charged with injury to a child. She is due in court next Monday.
What happened
Officials said Jefferson was taken to Houston Northwest Hospital by his mother. Deputies said Tevin was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the emergency room. It was discovered Tevin had suffered trauma to the head, which was not consistent with what Williams told officials, deputies said. She said Tevin had fallen in the bathtub, deputies said.
Deputies said Johnson, who arrived at the hospital shortly after, was not reported to have been present at the time of the incident.
Investigators questioned Williams and Johnson and found that their stories were inconsistent with the facts observed during the investigation, deputies said. The couple both admitted to lying about their initial stories about Tevin falling while with his mother, according to deputies.
Deputies said Johnson, who is not the child’s biological father, told investigators that he beat the child and caused the boy to fall and hit his head, resulting in him becoming unresponsive. Deputies said Johnson took the child to his mother’s place of business where they both conspired to lie about what happened to the child.