Teemii Johnson, a 2-year-9-month-old girl, died on May 10, 2022, from long-term starvation in Davenport, Florida. At the time of her death, she weighed only 9 pounds 5 ounces — having gained less than 3 pounds since her birth weight of 6 pounds 10 ounces — while an average child her age should have weighed approximately 32 pounds. An autopsy found no food in her stomach and only slight traces of fecal matter. The child was found unresponsive in an inflatable pool used as a makeshift playpen at the family's car sales business. Her father, Regis Johnson, claimed sole responsibility for feeding the child but admitted he knew she was not gaining weight and not developing normally, yet did not seek medical care. The child had not seen a doctor since her 6-month checkup in January 2020, despite the pediatrician's multiple attempts to follow up regarding concerns about cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy. A DCF medical neglect investigation opened in December 2019 was closed after positive weight checks. At the time of death, the child could not walk, stand, or talk. The father was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole, while the mother was found incompetent to stand trial due to intellectual disability. The paternal uncle, who lived with the family and was aware of the child's condition, was also charged with negligent child abuse.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
The fatality report states the child "passed away from suspected malnutrition." The Tampa Bay article reports the child "suffered long-term starvation" and weighed only "9 pounds, 5 ounces at her time of death" despite an expected weight of "approximately 32 pounds." An autopsy found "no food in her stomach and only slight traces of any fecal matter." The ClickOrlando article quotes Sheriff Judd saying "it's evident to us that it's long-term starvation." The disability-memorial page lists the cause of death as "Malnutrition."
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Multiple sources explicitly reference medical neglect. The Tampa Bay article states: "On Dec. 10. 2019, the state's Department of Children and Families began a medical neglect investigation into the family, as the child was reportedly consistently losing weight and her parents were not following up with doctors' appointments." The child's last pediatrician visit was in January 2020 (her 6-month checkup), despite the medical office making "multiple attempts" to contact the parents for follow-up regarding concern about cystic fibrosis. The ClickOrlando article confirms: "the toddler's pediatrician said her last visit was in January 2020, during her 6-month check-up, despite multiple attempts made by the medical office after that to contact the parents." The father also "admitted he did not seek further medical attention" despite knowing the child was not gaining weight.
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
The fatality report states: "There is an unfilled inflatable pool at the office that they use as a Pack n' Play for the child." The Tampa Bay article describes the child as "found dead in an inflatable pool being used as a makeshift playpen." On the morning of the child's death, the father placed her in the inflatable pool at approximately 5:15 a.m., and at 8:00 a.m. checked on her and found "her hands were a little cold, so he covered her up," indicating the child was sleeping or resting in this improvised environment. An inflatable pool is not designed for safe sleep and constitutes an unsafe sleeping environment.
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The fatality report identifies Regis Johnson (57 years old) as the child's father. The Tampa Bay article states Johnson "admitted he knew his daughter 'was not gaining weight and not developing as normal'" and "admitted he did not seek further medical attention." The disability-memorial page confirms: "Regis Johnson (Father), convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to life without parole." He claimed sole responsibility for feeding the child.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report identifies Ahronda Tillman (34 years old) as the child's mother. The Tampa Bay article states she was arrested and charged with felony child neglect. The mother told detectives she "attempted to feed the child a turkey sandwich on Monday before bed, but the child did not want to eat" and "didn't know when her child had last seen a doctor." The disability-memorial page notes: "Arhonda Tillman (Mother), found incompetent to stand trial due to intellectual disability."
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
The fatality report identifies Frank Robinson (63 years old) as the child's paternal uncle. The Tampa Bay article states Robinson "lived in the home with the couple, was aware of and did not report the toddler's condition" and was "arrested and charged with one felony count of negligent child abuse causing great harm and one felony count of failure to report child abuse." The ClickOrlando article confirms Robinson "lived at the house and was aware of the abuse but never reported it."
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Several sources reference possible physical disabilities. The ClickOrlando article states: "doctors believed the toddler may have shared a muscular dystrophy gene with her mother but after getting her tested, found the diagnosis to be inconclusive." The child's doctor was also "concerned she might have cystic fibrosis." The disability-memorial page lists: "Disability: Failure to thrive; possible muscular dystrophy, possible cystic fibrosis." The mother told detectives "her daughter could crawl but not walk" at nearly 3 years old. While these conditions were not confirmed, the possible muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis and the child's inability to walk are mentioned across multiple sources.
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
The Tampa Bay article states: "On Dec. 10. 2019, the state's Department of Children and Families began a medical neglect investigation into the family, as the child was reportedly consistently losing weight and her parents were not following up with doctors' appointments." The investigation was subsequently closed after positive weight checks. The ClickOrlando article confirms: "Polk County detectives found that the Department of Children and Families had opened a medical neglect investigation of the girl's situation in Dec. 2019, closing it after several positive weight checks."
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The Tampa Bay article states Regis Johnson and Arhonda Tillman "were arrested Wednesday and charged with felony child neglect." Frank Robinson was also "arrested and charged with one felony count of negligent child abuse causing great harm and one felony count of failure to report child abuse." The disability-memorial page confirms the father was "convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to life without parole."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report states: "the mother presents with cognitive delay and not much could be obtained from her." The disability-memorial page states: "Arhonda Tillman (Mother), found incompetent to stand trial due to intellectual disability." Both sources clearly reference the mother's intellectual disability.
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several substantive details are worth noting. First, the DCF investigation opened in December 2019 was closed after "several positive weight checks" and the couple's compliance with instructions, yet the child later died of starvation in May 2022 — highlighting a potential systemic failure in follow-up. Second, the child's pediatrician attempted to contact the parents multiple times after the January 2020 six-month checkup due to concerns about cystic fibrosis, but was unable to reach them; the child never saw a doctor again. Third, the father was ultimately convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole, while the mother was found incompetent to stand trial due to intellectual disability, raising questions about the capacity of the primary caregivers. Fourth, there was food in the home at the time of death, and the mother was reportedly four months pregnant, with Sheriff Judd noting "there are no medical records to confirm this, but Tillman will receive prenatal care while in jail."
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