COLUMBUS, OH – A woman from Ohio has been sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 15 years for the murder of her girlfriend’s 8-year-old son. The tragic incident unfolded in the Milo-Grogan neighborhood of Columbus, shaking the community to its core.
On June 28, 2024, authorities discovered the lifeless body of Martonio Wilder inside the attic of his home. His small frame was concealed within a trash bag and a sleeping bag. The horrific finding came after his mother, LaShanda Delores Wilder, reported him missing, prompting law enforcement to issue — and soon cancel — an Amber Alert.
Johnna Lowe, 24, was sentenced Thursday after entering a guilty plea on charges of murder and gross abuse of a corpse in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. Under Ohio law, Lowe could seek parole after a 15-year term.
The case unraveled quickly when police arrived at the scene to investigate Martonio’s disappearance. During an initial search, Lowe and the boy’s mother left the premises with her other children. Their departure occurred just as a cadaver dog was being brought in, a move that made officers cautious. They soon secured a warrant, which led to the tragic discovery and escalated the investigation.
The autopsy revealed chilling details: the boy suffered from asphyxia caused by neck compression, blunt head trauma, and severe malnutrition. Weighing just 35 pounds at 49 inches tall, the medical examiner noted significant muscle loss, indicative of systemic abuse over time.
Franklin County prosecutors described a pattern of mistreatment. Martonio was often confined in a closet, deprived of food, and subjected to physical abuse, including beatings with a crutch and chokings with an extension cord. Family members described him as a lively and affectionate child who yearned for love and attention.
Despite numerous interventions from Franklin County Children’s Services since May 2022, including various support services and at least 13 police visits to the home, Martonio’s dire situation persisted unnoticed by authorities. Family members voiced their frustrations, pointing out the inconsistency in care between him and his siblings and questioning the adequacy of the state’s response.
The plea deal for Lowe included credit for 342 days spent in pre-trial detention. Meanwhile, Martonio’s mother, LaShanda Delores Wilder, is expected to appear in court on July 15. Her involvement in the circumstances surrounding her son’s death continues to draw intense scrutiny and profound sorrow across the community.
