Travionna Johnson, 23, is facing serious felony charges, including manslaughter and abandonment of a dependent, in Washington state following the discovery of her 8-year-old daughter's death. The child was reportedly found in an overflowing bathtub after Johnson allegedly left her home alone, according to details from court records cited by The Spokesman-Review and KREM. This incident has brought significant legal action against the mother.
The Spokane Fire Department responded to Johnson's apartment last Sunday morning after a concerned neighbor initiated a 911 call. The neighbor had reported water actively leaking from an upstairs unit. Upon entering the apartment, firefighters discovered Johnson's daughter floating and unresponsive in the bathtub. Emergency medical personnel transported the child to a local hospital, where she was subsequently pronounced dead.
Court records have detailed the significant challenges faced by the 8-year-old victim. The child had epilepsy, a developmental disability, and was nonverbal, indicating complex health and communication needs. Furthermore, she experienced mobility issues, requiring assistance from others for fundamental daily activities, including taking baths, eating meals, and getting dressed. These conditions underscore the level of care the child required.
Investigators were informed by Johnson that she departed for work just before 7 a.m. on the day of the incident. She stated she left her daughter, who was still asleep, alone in their apartment. Johnson allegedly acknowledged to investigators her awareness that her daughter "operates at a 3- or 4-year-old level," a fact she reportedly understood meant the child should not be left unsupervised, out of concern for her inherent safety.
In her statements to investigators, Johnson also disclosed that her daughter exhibited a particular fascination with running water. While she admitted to allowing her daughter to play with the faucet in the bathroom sink, she maintained that she did not permit the child access to the bathtub's faucet. This distinction was part of her explanation during the investigation.
During Johnson's initial court appearance, her family spoke to the situation. Her mother, Kimberly Russell, conveyed that Johnson "wasn’t in her right mind at the time of the alleged crimes" and is in need of assistance to address ongoing mental health issues. Russell expressed a belief that Johnson deeply loved her child and would not intentionally cause harm, suggesting that any negative outcome was not a result of Johnson acting in her normal state of mind.
A bond for Travionna Johnson has been established at $500,000. Her trial proceedings are currently scheduled to commence in November. The legal process is now underway for this significant case in Washington state.