A man from Dallas has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of failing to seek medical attention for an 18-month-old child, leading to the toddler’s tragic death in 2019.
Sedrick Johnson, 33, was found guilty of injury to a child by omission earlier this week in connection with the death of his girlfriend’s nephew, Cedrick “C.J.” Jackson.
Despite facing a potential life sentence, Johnson will have six years deducted from his term due to the time served in jail while awaiting trial. He will be eligible for parole in approximately four years, according to statements made by his attorneys.
The jury, composed of nine women and five men, deliberated for over an hour after a three-day trial. Their decision focused on whether prosecutors could establish that Johnson purposefully failed to provide medical help for Cedrick.
During the sentencing, Johnson attempted to address the court but was interrupted by his defense attorney. Instead, he expressed gratitude to the judge before being led from the courtroom. “May God have mercy on your soul,” Judge Nancy Mulder replied to Johnson’s gesture.
Dressed in a gray jacket and light blue dress shirt, Johnson turned to his family, who were visibly upset, and reassured them, saying, “I love you. It’s going to be OK.”
In addition to his conviction, Johnson still faces a separate capital murder charge related to Cedrick’s death. The child’s aunt, Chyrstal Jackson, who had custody of Cedrick, is also charged with child endangerment. Both cases are still pending in court.
Johnson’s defense attorney, Josh Healy, referred to the jury’s sentence as “fair,” noting that the panel’s decision reflected the evidence presented during the trial. Healy commented on the jury’s deliberation process, stating they faced challenges with the first-degree charge, leading them to seek clarification through multiple notes to the judge.
The Dallas County district attorney’s office opted not to comment during the trial’s punishment phase; however, prosecutors had requested that the jury impose a life sentence.
Cedrick was last seen on July 10, 2019, at his aunt’s apartment in Lake Highlands. Authorities initially received reports claiming that a man had forcibly entered the home, abducted Cedrick, and stolen an Xbox console. Testimony revealed that the gaming system was later discovered at Johnson’s grandmother’s house.
In a recorded nine-hour police interview, Johnson recounted that Cedrick became unresponsive while being swaddled. He described how the toddler began to vomit and choke, leading him to perform chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Johnson then admitted to placing Cedrick’s body in a dumpster filled with trash in northeast Dallas. The following day, on July 11, authorities recovered the remains of Cedrick at a landfill located at the border between Garland and Rowlett. Due to the state of the remains, the specific cause and manner of death remained undetermined, according to the testimony.
In an emotional impact statement, Cedrick’s mother, Dishundra Thomas, expressed her anguish toward Johnson.
“You lied to my face with ease about my child, already knowing what you did and where he was. It’s despicable,” she said, her voice breaking.
Thomas continued, detailing her torment as she searched for her son while Johnson concealed the truth. “There are no words, no forgiveness, for what you did.”
Cedrick was remembered by his family as a sweet and joyful child who was often seen carrying his beloved blue blanket adorned with a teddy bear. This year, he would have turned eight years old.
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