JORDAN JOHNSON-BELMONTE - 1 Month - Bakersfield CA

The parents accused of murdering their 1-month-old baby appeared in court for the first time today. James Johnson Jr. and Denise Belmonte pleaded not guilty this afternoon. Both are facing charges of first-degree murder, assault and child cruelty.Police say their son Jordan, died last Wednesday while under their care. Police say the baby had third-degree burns and broken bones.In a jailhouse interview, Johnson said Belmonte accidentally burned the baby with hot bath water. But he had no explanation for the broken bones. Johnson says both of them had been involved in domestic violence, which led to their other children being taken away by child protective services.
While Johnson and Belmonte appeared in court, Belmonte's family held a carwash in East Bakersfield to raise money for baby Jordan's funeral.But they say it has been difficult. "We literally had people pull up and say 'You don't need to be out doing a car wash. It's not right what the parents did. No one should help.' We want people to understand we are raising money for the rest of the family so we can bury (Jordan). We're not doing this for the parents," said Will Campos.The family hasn't been the only ones battling backlash, they say so has Belmonte. "She was on suicide watch," said Belmonte's aunt Diana Lujan.Relatives told 23 ABC Belmonte was beat up jail over the weekend. "One minute they say she's in the psych (ward) and in next minute they say she's in the hospital," said Lujan.Neither the jail nor Kern Medical Center would comment on Belmonte's status. Her family says despite that and the backlash, their biggest concern is making sure baby Jordan gets a proper burial. "You know, it's not the baby's fault or the family's fault. If you can help out, we'd appreciate that," said Campos.If you'd like to help with funeral donations, relatives will be at Pop's Drive-Thru on Niles street the rest of the week collecting donations.

Wednesday, Jan 09 2013 09:25 AM




Mother sentenced to 15 years in death of infant son

BY JASON KOTOWSKI CALIFORNIAN STAFF WRITER JKOTOWSKI@BAKERSFIELD.COM

The mother of a month-old baby who died after suffering a litany of gruesome injuries including burns and broken bones was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday.

Denise Belmonte, 23, had pleaded no contest in October to voluntary manslaughter and three counts of willful cruelty to a child, according to court records.

Belmonte's infant son, Jordan Johnson, died Nov. 10, 2010. Both Belmonte and Jordan's father, James Willis Johnson, Jr., were originally charged with murder in the boy's death.

Fred Gagliardini, Belmonte's attorney, said his client suffers from avoidant personality disorder, meaning she avoids confrontations and won't stop someone from doing something that is wrong. She didn't personally injure her child, but she also didn't take action to prevent Johnson from hurting the boy.

"I feel bad that she's going to do that amount of time in prison," said Gagliardini, adding that he'd hoped the court would take her personality disorder into consideration at sentencing.

Prosecutor Melissa Allen could not immediately be reached for comment.

Johnson was found not competent to stand trial in September 2011 and has been committed to Patton State Hospital for treatment. Prosecutors have said he'll stay there until he's either restored to competency or three years pass, at which point the court will make a decision about what to do with him.

Jordan suffered injuries including broken arms and legs and third-degree burns on his buttocks and genitals, according to police and coroner's office reports filed in Kern County Superior Court. Each parent blamed the other for burning the infant in a bath.

The child was burned about a week before his death, the police reports say. A search warrant in the case says Belmonte told police that Johnson put Vicodin, a prescription adult pain reliever, on the baby's lips after the infant was burned.

Both parents told police they didn't know how Jordan's arms and legs were broken. The police reports say Belmonte told officers Johnson played rough with the child, twisting the infant's legs toward his head.


http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/local/x1055276081/Mother-sentenced-to-15-years-in-death-of-infant-son

You don't "play" with a 35 day old infant.  He tortured this baby to death and I hope and pray some crazy judge doesn't let him go free.  He's evil and that can't be cured.

I think the mother's sentence is way too short.