A heartbreaking story has emerged from Calera, Alabama, where a 58-year-old woman is accused of the unimaginable treatment of a 13-year-old boy, Ledarius Johnson, who tragically died in her care. Jacqueline E. Adams now faces charges of felony murder and aggravated child abuse following an investigation into the boy’s death in August 2024.
Ledarius’ final days paint a deeply disturbing picture. Police Chief David Hyche emphasized the importance of protecting society’s most vulnerable members, pointing out how children and others who can’t defend themselves often face the worst kinds of harm.
The ordeal came to light on August 8, 2024, when authorities were called to a home on Ivy Hills Circle. They were initially responding to a medical emergency involving a juvenile male but soon found themselves trying to save Ledarius’ life as he went into cardiac arrest. Despite medics’ best efforts, the boy passed away shortly after being rushed to Shelby Baptist Medical Center.
Doctors revealed that Ledarius was severely malnourished, weighing only 86 pounds. A judge reviewing the case described him as “severely malnourished and underdeveloped.” His living conditions, as later discovered, were equally appalling. At the time, his twin brother and two other children, aged 14 and 16, were also in the home under Adams’ care.
During the investigation, security footage from inside the home shed light on the horrifying reality. It showed Ledarius confined to the bathroom floor for much of his final days, deprived of adequate food and water, and enduring repeated beatings. In one chilling clip played during a bond hearing, Adams was reportedly heard telling Ledarius that she “doesn’t need him” but that “he needs her because she has food.”
The abuse, compounded by delayed medical help and attempts to cover up evidence, led a judge to deny Adams’ request for bond. The judge stated that the seriousness of her alleged actions, along with the likelihood of conviction and severe sentencing, left no room for pretrial release.
This case is a stark reminder of the critical responsibility to protect children and the devastating consequences when that protection fails. As investigators continue their work, it’s clear that Ledarius’ story has left a deep impact on the community and beyond.
