3-year-old Beaten to Death and Left in Pool of Blood in Pittsburgh; Grandmother Arrested after Toddler’s Body was Discovered Full of Bruises

A tragic incident has occurred in Pittsburgh, where a woman has been charged in connection with the unfortunate death of her 3-year-old granddaughter on the city’s North Side, according to the authorities.

Denise Johnson is facing serious charges including criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, aggravated assault, corruption of minors, and endangering the welfare of children.

Emergency services were alerted to an apartment on East Ohio Street following a 911 call from family members at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. Tragically, Ayla Miller, just 3 years old, was pronounced dead shortly after.

The Pittsburgh police have reported that the young girl was residing with Johnson, her grandmother. According to a witness, Miller had been under Johnson’s custody for approximately six weeks.

Upon discovery, authorities noted that the young girl exhibited signs of physical distress, displaying a chilling coldness to her skin along with visible marks of bruises and scratches. Furthermore, authorities have reported the presence of blood on the mattress where the girl was found.

“That’s horrible. I think that’s absolutely horrible,” said Lisa Propst, who lives in the apartment complex. “I work with children on a daily basis. I absolutely love children and have a heart for children, so anytime I hear that something extremely bad like this happens to children, it breaks my heart.” 

According to the criminal complaint, investigators discovered a wound on the girl’s right ankle that appears to be infected, as well as a burn mark on her left ankle that is consistent with a cigarette burn.

“When I was little, we went to my grandmother’s house. She was someone who was there to help to nurture. When I think of a grandmother, that is what I think of. I don’t think of somebody that’s going to kill a child,” Propst said.

“I can’t imagine me doing anything like that to my grandchildren or anyone I know personally who would do that to their grandchildren.” 

Johnson has been apprehended by the police. She informed a family member and law enforcement that she struck the girl and expressed remorse.

She is currently incarcerated at the Allegheny County Jail.

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