Virginia Parents Sentenced After 9-Day-Old Baby Found Beaten, Shaken, and Burned to Death in Horrific Abuse Case

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA — A Virginia couple has been sentenced to prison for the brutal death of their 9-day-old baby, whose body showed signs of beating, shaking, and burns from hot liquid. The newborn, named I’ijayah Johnson, was described by doctors as “cold to the touch” when her parents brought her to the hospital.

Parents Claimed Baby ‘Fell from a Stroller’

According to prosecutors, 24-year-old Hilary Darnell Johnson II and 22-year-old Z’ibreyea Shantel Parker arrived at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters on May 4, 2024, with their unresponsive baby. The couple, who were living in a tent at the time, claimed the child had fallen from a stroller two days earlier while Johnson was jogging.

Authorities say the pair did not seek medical care after the alleged fall. Instead, they tried to treat the newborn’s injuries with witch hazel, peroxide, and gauze before taking her on the Light Rail to the hospital once she stopped breathing.

Hospital staff immediately noticed inconsistencies in the parents’ story and the severity of the child’s injuries.

“The parents struggled to give a precise birthdate for their baby,” prosecutors said. “The mother even told staff the injuries ‘were not all that serious.’”

Shocking Findings from Autopsy

Doctors discovered burns on the bottoms of I’ijayah’s feet, deep cuts to her head and face, and bruises across her back. The injuries were so severe that medical personnel called police immediately.

An autopsy later confirmed the baby died from blunt force trauma to her head and torso, with severe burns from hot liquid listed as a contributing factor.

“None of her injuries could be explained by a fall from a stroller,” the medical examiner wrote. “She also suffered several broken ribs and internal injuries.”

Sentencing and Court Outcome

Prosecutors said they could not determine which parent inflicted the fatal injuries, though evidence pointed more strongly to Johnson.

• Hilary Johnson II pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 19 years in prison.
• Z’ibreyea Parker pleaded guilty to child abuse and received a 10-year sentence.

Both avoided additional charges through plea deals — Johnson’s child abuse charge was dropped, and Parker’s murder charge was dismissed.

‘No Victim More Vulnerable Than a Newborn’

Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi condemned the couple’s actions, calling the crime “unimaginable.”

“There is no victim more vulnerable than a newborn baby,” Fatehi said. “I’ijayah came into the world in need of love and protection. What she got instead was suffering and death.”

He added that prosecutors faced challenges proving which parent caused the fatal injuries, but both were held accountable through their pleas.

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