Mom Jailed, Baby Hospitalized with Broken Ribs, 'Host of Other Injuries'

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An Oakland County woman has been arraigned on child-abuse charges after her 3-month-old unconscious baby was rushed to to a local hospital last week with broken ribs, bruising and “a host of other injuries,” police said.

Constance Johnson, 20, of Pontiac, was arraigned Friday in 50th District Court in Pontiac, where she was charged with one count of first-degree child abuse and another count of second-degree child abuse, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

First-degree child abuse is punishable by up to life in prison, and second-degree child abuse is a 10-year felony.

Deputies were called on Sept. 21 by hospital staff who said a 3-month-old girl’s injuries were consistent with child abuse. The baby girl was stabilized at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, then airlifted to Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital.

The infant remains hospitalized in stable condition, and Johnson is being held in the Oakland County Jail on a $30,000 cash surety bond.

Her next court appearance is a pre-exam conference at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 6. in 50th District Court.