A Columbus woman was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday after she pleaded guilty to murder in the death of her girlfriend's 8-year-old son.
Johnna Lowe, 34, also pleaded guilty to a charge of gross abuse of a corpse in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
Police found the body of Martonio Wilder in a trash bag in the attic of a home in the Milo-Grogan neighborhood on June, 28, 2024.
Martonio's mother, Lashanda Wilder, had reported her son missing. She told police that she'd last seen the boy when she put him to sleep around 9:30 p.m. the previous night. She feared he had run away.
An autopsy showed Martonio died of asphyxia by neck compression. The autopsy also revealed a history of abuse, including bruises and cuts to his face and head.
Lashanda Wilder is also charged with murder and gross abuse of a corpse. She is being held on a $2 million bond and has a hearing scheduled for July 15.
Lowe will be eligible for parole in 15 years.