TAWAS CITY, Mich. — A Michigan woman has been charged with murder days after her 3-year-old daughter’s body was found with stab wounds inside a garbage bag, authorities said.
Justine Johnson, 22, was arraigned Monday in 81st District Court in Tawas City on one count each of felony murder and first-degree child abuse. She pleaded not guilty to both charges and is scheduled for a Sept. 28 probable cause conference.
Police were called last Friday to a residence in Iosco County in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula after a garbage bag with a human foot protruding from it was found at the home. Police said the bag contained the body of Johnson’s daughter, Sutton Mosser.
Iosco County Prosecutor James Bacarella said the girl had suffered multiple stab wounds.
The girl’s grandmother, Alisa Johnson, said she believes her daughter is innocent and would never have hurt her young child.