Woman pleads not guilty in death of toddler
A 23-year-old woman pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges she beat a 14-month-old girl to death with a metal pipe.
Mariann Harris was indicted last week on one count of murder and three counts of child abuse in connection with the death of Dyon Johnson on Aug. 13.
A trial was set for Nov. 7 before Judge Abbi Silver.
Harris is being held in the Clark County Detention Center without bail.
Harris’ arrest report said Dyon’s body was cold and glassy-eyed when paramedics arrived at Harris’ downtown apartment just after midnight Aug. 13. The toddler had been dead for “some time” before Harris called 911, according to the report.
Authorities found a metal pipe in the kitchen that had been removed from a bar stool, the report said. Harris accused police of bringing the pipe into her home, but officers said the pipe was in the apartment when they responded, according to the report.
A doctor at University Medical Center said the child’s body and face were covered with fresh bruises and some older wounds that appeared to be healing.
Harris was the girl’s godmother and had been her caretaker for several days.
A neighbor told police of seeing Harris striking the girl several days earlier. The neighbor said Harris also routinely struck her own three children, according to the report.
Harris initially told Dyon’s mother, Jannett Simms, the toddler had fallen off a bunk bed. She later said Dyon had fallen down the stairs, the report said.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
