
Larry Green filed a two-page written lawsuit that he says could have prevented his 3-year-old daughter’s death against the Oklahoma’s Department of Corrections.
Green’s daughter, Erica, was born May 15, 1997, to Michelle Johnson who had been an inmate in prison for five weeks at the time the child was born. Johnson was serving for larceny charges at the time of the infant’s birth, and was reported to have a history of run-ins with the law for drug and child abuse. While serving her time, Johnson was allowed to place Erica in the care of a friend, Betty Brown. Erica was eventually returned to Michelle’s care after Brown was unable to care for the child. Michelle then allowed Harrell Johnson, her boyfriend at the time, to look after Erica while she was in prison.
Three years later in 2001, the headless body of an unknown 3-year-old was discovered in the woods near Kansas City. The infant’s body remained unidentified for four years and was referred to in the media as “Precious Doe”. It was later confirmed in 2005 that the infant body was Erica Green.
Justice was then served for the toddler in 2008 when Harrell Johnson admitted to abusing Erica Green while intoxicated and on drugs. After being beaten, kicked, and thrown to the ground, the toddler had died and was beheaded by Harrell with a pair of hedge clippers. Harrell then proceeded to dump the child’s body in the woods. Harrell Johnson was sentenced to 25 years in a state prison for second-degree murder in 2008.
Larry Green blames the fault of the toddler’s death on the prison and expects results from this incident. Green’s lawsuit announced prison officials “performed no background check whatsoever on Ms. Brown and failed to provide Ms. Brown with any guidance or standards as to the care, custody and possible future reunification of Erica Green with her parents”. Green’s lawsuit also claims officials were well aware of Michelle’s drug use while pregnant, refer to the birth of Michelle’s fourth child in 1995 that tested positive for cocaine proving great evidence that Michelle should not be a guardian and care for Erica.
If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another party you need help. Our Toledo, Ohio wrongful death attorneys are here to help you through every part of your case. They are experienced in handling all kinds of wrongful deaths and many other lawsuits.
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