CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville Police have charged Lori Johnson, 62, with Child Abuse and Neglect. Police were called to a Clarksville residence June 4 by foster parents of a six-year-old with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The child’s foster parents became alarmed after noticing the child seemed to be crying more lately. The six-year-old sustained the TBI during a motor vehicle crash when she was two-years-old. She is non-ambulatory and non-verbal.
After reviewing in-home video surveillance footage, the foster parents saw what they perceived as the home health care nurse, Lori Johnson, being rough with the child.
Detective Fatula, from Clarksville Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, investigated and saw multiple incidents on the video causing concern.
One incident depicted the nurse throwing an object at the child hitting her in the face or head. On another the child’s head was seen shaking violently or jerking as if she had been hit or shoved. An additional incident showed the child was being picked up and she was thrown to the ground.
When the child landed on the floor she hit her head and began to cry. The detective was made aware that a “thud” sound from the impact of the child’s head hitting the floor could be heard by the foster mother in a different room.
Lori Johnson was booked into the Montgomery County Jail, on June 4, with a $25,000 Bond. She bonded out later the same day.
Detective Fatula is lead investigator. Anyone with information can contact her at 931-648-0656, ext. 5375.