Woman convicted in toddler's beating death

A woman was convicted Nov. 18 of second-degree murder in the fatal beating of a toddler whom she babysat in 2012, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. 

Niesiia Johnson, a 22-year-old black woman, babysat Atreyu Amaad Martinez, 2, for several weekends over three months. The boy had been with the Johnson for 10 days before his death, the prosecutor said. 

Early July 31, 2012, Johnson was at her La Puente home with the boy. She claimed that she got out of the shower and found the boy hunched over and bleeding from his nose and mouth, the prosecutor added. 

Johnson called out for help, and her housemate called 911. Paramedics took Martinez to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:04 a.m., according to the prosecutor. 

An autopsy said the boy’s body exhibited extensive abuse, including severe bruising on his face and buttocks and whip marks on several area of his body. The cause of death was subdural hematoma, the prosecutor said. 

Investigators found blood in Johnson’s bathroom and bedroom as well as on her clothing. Johnson was charged on Nov. 29, 2012.

Johnson was also convicted of assault on a child causing death. Johnson is scheduled to return to court Dec. 16 for sentencing. She could face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. 

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @jeromercampbell and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.