Porter Ranch mother charged with murder of her 3-month-old baby

A Porter Ranch mother was charged with the murder of her three-month-old baby, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced on Friday, Oct. 11.

Jalyn Simone SmithJermott, 21, was charged with one count of murder and one felony count of assault on a child causing death. The baby’s father, Eric Shannon Johnson, 35, was charged with child abuse.

“My heart goes out to the victim, who suffered unimaginable pain at the hands of those who were meant to provide love, safety, and protection,”  Gascón said in a news release.

On Sept. 10, the baby was found not breathing in his bassinet. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

SmithJermott’s arraignment is scheduled on Oct. 14. Johnson pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Oct. 7. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 17 at the San Fernando Courthouse.

If SmithJermott is convicted on both charges, she faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Johnson would face six years.

“Children, especially babies, depend on their parents and loved ones for care and nurturing. It is a profound betrayal when that trust is shattered. I want to assure the community that we will prosecute these offenders to the fullest extent of the law,” Gascón said.

The cause of the baby’s death has been deferred, according to records from the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by the DA’s Family Violence Division’s Complex Child Abuse Section.

City News Service contributed to this report.