“Nobody listened;” Week-old girl died after being brutally beaten by her parents, who then treated the injuries with home remedies as they were not serious; parents plead guilty
Virginia – In a harrowing and tragic case out of Virginia, an infant girl died at just over a week old after suffering severe abuse at the hands of her 24-year-old mother, identified as Z. Parker, and 22-year-old father, identified as H. Johnson—inflicting injuries for which they applied home remedies, claiming they were not serious. This week, both parents entered guilty pleas that reflect the extreme neglect and violence that led to their daughter’s death.
Parker pleaded guilty to child abuse with serious injury for the death of her daughter. Her partner and the baby’s father, Johnson, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder earlier this month. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped the murder charge against Parker in favor of the child abuse count. On May 4, 2024, at about 1:15 p.m., officers responded to a children’s hospital after the baby arrived unresponsive and showing signs of abuse. Doctors pronounced her dead shortly thereafter. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later ruled the death a homicide.
Both parents were initially charged with child abuse. Following the homicide determination, they faced upgraded charges. Parker stands convicted of child abuse with serious injury; Johnson admitted guilt to second-degree murder. The charges reflect the severity of the physical injuries inflicted on their daughter—for which they showed no medical concern and instead turned to homemade treatments. According to court records and media reporting, the baby was brought to the hospital exhibiting horrifying injuries: “severe burns on both feet as well as splash burns on other areas of her body.” An autopsy further revealed multiple broken ribs, a fractured clavicle, bruises on her head, and signs consistent with shaking.
When questioned about the burns, Parker allegedly responded that she “did not think the injuries were all that serious” and had treated them at home with home remedies. Meanwhile, the baby’s other injuries had been dismissed or ignored rather than treated with medical assistance. The couple and child were reportedly homeless, living in a tent beneath a highway—environmental conditions that, prosecuting officials argue, compounded the neglect. “Bury my granddaughter because nobody listened.” Those heartbreaking words came from Johnson’s father, who had previously voiced deep concern for the baby’s safety. He told the media, “I said I feared for the girl’s life… Now I got to bury my granddaughter because nobody listened.” The elder Johnson lamented the mental health struggles of Parker and his son, referring to them as “bright kids” whose lives seemingly unraveled.
After the infant’s death, hospital officials spoke to media outlets, emphasizing that suspicion of abuse or neglect is mandated to be reported—and that they have policies in place to ensure such concerns are investigated. Parker is scheduled to be sentenced on October 31; Johnson will receive his sentence earlier, on October 24. Although the sentencing outcomes are not yet public, the pleas indicate that the parents could face significant prison time—certainly decades—due to their actions that transformed the sanctuary of childbirth into a scene of brutal betrayal. For the infant there will be no justice. But for the public, her story—and the remorse of a grandfather too late—serves as a painful reminder: neglect and dismissiveness can mask deadly intent. Her death should echo as an urgent call to act when signs of abuse surface—because failure to listen can cost a life just days after it begins.
