BEDFORD – A Bedford couple is facing multiple felony charges following an investigation into injuries sustained by a nine-year-old daughter and alleged medical neglect of a fourteen-year-old daughter, according to court documents filed by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department.
Candacelynn L. Jenkins-Johnson, 32, and Eric D. Johnson, 42, have been charged with two felony counts of neglect of a dependent and battery on a child under the age of 14.
The investigation began on August 7, 2024, when Jenkins-Johnson’s nine-year-old daughter was brought to IU Health Bedford Emergency Room with a severely bruised and broken arm.
According to Detective Captain James E. Slone’s probable cause affidavit, while Jenkins-Johnson initially claimed the injury occurred at a hotel pool in Ohio on August 3, cell phone records and hotel documentation revealed inconsistencies in her story. The investigation found that the family had actually checked into the Ohio hotel on August 1, with the child’s arm already injured before the trip began.
During a forensic interview at Susie’s Place in Bloomington on August 14, 2024, the nine-year-old disclosed that her injuries occurred at home before the vacation, contradicting her mother’s account. The child’s seventeen-year-old step-brother also provided testimony that supported this timeline, stating he noticed the child’s arm in a sling when he was picked up for the vacation.
The second neglect charge stems from allegations regarding Jenkins-Johnson’s fourteen-year-old daughter, who has cerebral palsy. Medical records indicate that Jenkins-Johnson failed to properly administer prescribed medication that was crucial for managing her daughter’s condition. According to the affidavit, the teen was prescribed Baclofen, a muscle relaxant meant to be taken twice daily, but Jenkins-Johnson only administered it “as needed,” contrary to medical direction.
Detective Slone noted in court documents that despite the severity of the nine-year-old’s injury, medical attention was delayed for nearly a week, even though an emergency medical center was located approximately 1,336 feet from the hotel where the family stayed in Ohio.
The investigation included analysis of cell phone records, hotel documentation, medical records, and interviews with multiple witnesses and healthcare providers.
The case was filed with the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office for formal review, and warrants were issued for the arrest of Candancelynn and Eric Johnson. They were arrested on Monday, January 27, 2025.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
