Inset: Lashona Johnson (Covington Police Department). Background: The Tennessee grocery store where Lashona Johnson allegedly attacked her 2-year-old son last week (Google Maps).
A Tennessee woman allegedly abandoned her 2-year-old son inside of a grocery store and then went berserk after employees announced over the intercom system that he was found alone at the service desk.
“You know I”m going to beat your a—, right?” the woman told the toddler before hitting him repeatedly in front of shoppers, cops say.
Lashona Johnson, 25, is facing child abuse and neglect charges after the alleged incident was captured on surveillance video and reported by multiple witnesses, according to a police press release. She is accused of attacking her son last Wednesday at a Cash Savers discount grocery store in Covington.
“The manager indicated a child was left at the service desk of the store,” Covington Police allege in the press release. “Employees broadcasted over the store’s intercom system of a toddler being alone at the service desk. Approximately ten minutes after the broadcast, a female approached the service desk and stated, ‘You know I’m going to beat your a—, right?’ to the toddler.”
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Johnson allegedly “pulled the toddler from the service desk in an aggressive manner” and then “dragged the toddler to the middle of the checkout line,” according to cops. She repeatedly struck the boy on his back before leaving, police say.
“Detectives reviewed and collected the video surveillance which confirmed the witnesses’ statements,” the press release alleges, noting how the Department of Children Services (DCS) was contacted by Covington Police and assisted in the investigation.
“Johnson was interviewed … and she admitted she was the female in the video,” the release adds. “The two-year-old child was released to his father. DCS continues their investigation into the incident.”
Johnson was arrested that same day and booked at the Tipton County Jail with a $50,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.
“I am so thankful that a citizen and the witnesses reported this incident. It is a troubling video to watch. It was absolutely the right call to say something and report the incident.” said Covington Police Chief Donna Turner in a statement. “Our efforts provided a way to check on the welfare of the child, provide any services needed in this family through DCS, and to help prevent this from happening again.”
