- Joann Johnson, a 37-year-old babysitter in Prairieville, Louisiana, was arrested after a 3-year-old boy drowned at her daycare.
- The drowning occurred on May 18, with the child submerged for approximately 20 minutes before being rescued.
- Johnson has been charged with negligent homicide and turned herself in to authorities on Wednesday.
PRAIRIEVILLE, LOUISIANA — Months after all eight Riverbend jail escapees were recaptured after a Louisiana manhunt, another Louisiana case has ended with an arrest. This time, a babysitter is accused of negligence after a 3-year-old boy drowned in a pool at her in-home daycare.
Joann Johnson, 37, was arrested Wednesday after an investigation into the child’s death. The drowning happened on May 18 at her home in Prairieville.
Child Fell Into Pool
According to the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, two young children in Johnson’s care were playing in the backyard that afternoon.
Police said the children were near the pool without safety wear when the 3-year-old boy fell into the water.
Investigators said the child remained underwater for about 20 minutes.
Surveillance Video Reviewed
Authorities said surveillance footage showed Johnson eventually pulling the toddler from the pool.
By that time, police said the child was unconscious.
Emergency responders rushed to the home and performed CPR. The boy was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Babysitter Turns Herself In
After reviewing the case, police filed an arrest warrant for Johnson.
She turned herself in on Wednesday and was booked into the Ascension Parish Jail.
Johnson is charged with one count of negligent homicide.
Investigation Continues
Authorities have not released the child’s name.
The case remains under investigation as officials review how the toddler was left near the pool and why he was not found sooner.
Drowning is one of the leading dangers for young children, especially around backyard pools. For the child’s family, what should have been a normal day in daycare ended in tragedy.
To view more cases involving child safety failures, tragic daycare incidents, and heartbreaking accidents, check out our video here:
