Florida mom accused of killing her baby searched 'How to sign away parental rights', deputies say

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LEE COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida mother was taken to jail last week for reportedly killing her 4-month-old baby girl, deputies said.

Johnisha Cole, 32, was arrested by deputies on Dec. 13 on charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and aggravated child abuse, according to the Lee County Sheriff's Office. 

The arrest followed a several months-long investigation.

Johnisha Cole (Credit: Lee County Sheriff's Office)

In September, investigators responded to an apartment in Lehigh Acres for a baby who began choking and became unresponsive. The infant was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead.

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An examination of the baby revealed "cruel injuries" including a femur and multiple rib fractures, large areas of bruising and severe abdominal bloating, the sheriff's office said in a social media post. 

A medical examiner's office investigation determined the child's cause of death to be abusive head trauma and the manner of death was ruled a homicide, officials said. 

Detectives executed multiple search warrants on the apartment and electronic devices. A review of Cole's phone uncovered several alarming internet searches and text messages. The searches included queries like "How long do you have to make a police report?" and "How to sign away parental rights?"

Additionally, Cole sent texts to witnesses implying a desire for the child’s death and describing actions such as shaking the infant.

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She did not have explanations for the baby's injuries, authorities said.

"This case is cruel and this infant endured deadly abuse from its mother her entire life," Sheriff Carmine Marceno said in a statement. "My heart breaks for this child, but my detectives dedicated themselves to bringing her justice by digging for evidence and making an arrest," he said. "I know my detectives will continue to work with the State Attorney's Office to secure a conviction," he added.