Precious Doe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Precious Doe was a pseudonym assigned to an unidentified female corpse (presumed to be 3 to 4 years of age) discovered on April 28, 2001, in Kansas City, Missouri. The girl had been murdered and decapitated. The body was naked and the head was wrapped in a trash bag and dumped nearby. The brutality of the crime, and the fact that the child went unidentified for a long period, sparked national interest.[1] In an effort to identify the girl, police released sketches, computerized likenesses, and at least two busts depicting the victim.[2] The case was featured on the TV program America's Most Wanted several times.[3][4]
On May 5, 2005, the body was identified as Erica Michelle Maria Green, age three,[5] and her mother and stepfather were charged with her murder and extradited from Oklahoma to face charges in Missouri.[6] The eight other children of Erica's mother were taken into state custody or placed with relatives.[7] On December 3, 2005, prosecutors announced that they would seek the death penalty against Erica's stepfather, Harrell Johnson.[8]
Police have said that after Erica died, Harrell Johnson said he used hedge clippers to sever her head.[9] Johnson's cousin, Lawanda Driskell, said that Erica's mother helped Harrell dispose of the body by taking Erica from the house as if sleeping in a stroller and telling Driskell she had given Erica to the woman who had raised her.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ Goldblatt, Jeff. "Slain Mystery Girl Brings Community Together", FOX News Network, 2002-08-08. Retrieved on 2006-06-30.
- ^ "Police Release New Bust Of 'Precious Doe'", KMBC-TV (TheKansasCityChannel.com), 2003-09-19. Retrieved on 2006-06-30.
- ^ Harrell Johnson (Suspected Precious Doe Killer). America's Most Wanted. Twentieth Century Fox Film (2005-05-05). Retrieved on 2006-06-30.
- ^ Michelle Johnson (Suspected Precious Doe Killer). America's Most Wanted. Twentieth Century Fox Film (2005-05-04). Retrieved on 2006-06-30.
- ^ "Charges In 'Precious Doe' Case", CBS Broadcasting, 2005-05-05. Retrieved on 2006-06-30.
- ^ "Mother, stepfather charged in 'Precious Doe' killing", Cable News Network, 2005-05-06. Retrieved on 2006-06-30.
- ^ Associated Press. "Okla. Never Monitored 'Precious Doe' Case", phillyBurbs.com, Calkins Media, 2005-05-10. Retrieved on 2006-06-30.
- ^ Associated Press. "Prosecutor Seeks Death Penalty in 'Precious Doe' Case", FOX News Network, 2005-12-03. Retrieved on 2006-06-30.
- ^ a b Duarte Jr, Hector. "Cousin of Harrell Johnson Details Final Days Of Precious Doe", All Headline News, 2005-05-07. Retrieved on 2006-06-30.
