COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The 8-year-old boy whose body was found before an Amber Alert was issued for his siblings Friday night died from “deep neck compression,” according to court records.
The boy’s mother, Lashanda Wilder, 32, and her girlfriend Johnna Lowe, 33, are due in Franklin County Municipal Court on Monday morning; Wilder is facing murder and obstruction of justice charges while Lowe is facing an obstruction of justice charge.
Court records state the Franklin County Coroner’s office ruled on Saturday that the boy’s death was a homicide.
According to police, Wilder and two of her children were the subject of an Amber Alert issued Friday night. While investigating the case, Columbus police found the body of Wilder’s son, Martonio Wilder, in a trash bag hidden in the attic of the family’s house, according to police.
Wilder’s two other children were found safe with one of Lowe’s acquaintances later Friday night after the alert was issued. They were placed in the custody of Franklin County Children Services.
Columbus police were first called to the Wilder home at noon on Friday, where Wilder said she last saw Martonio on Thursday night, according to court records.
Police issued a missing person’s advisory for Martonio but did not elevate it to an Amber Alert. They began a K-9 search of the neighborhood, after which Wilder and Lowe left without telling police where they were going. With them were the other two children, ages 9 and 3.
When police couldn’t locate Wilder, officers got a search warrant for the home, which led to the discovery of the boy’s body.
Arrest warrants for both Wilder and Lowe were issued early Saturday; both were in police custody by 5 p.m.