SARAI STATEN - 2 yo (2011)/ Convicted: Mother's BF; Johnny Lewis Jr.- Duncanville (S of DFW Metroplex) TX

The man suspected of killing a Duncanville toddler is on the loose
and investigators think he may be trying to flee the country. Police
said 44-year-old Johnny ‘Scorpio’ Lewis was supposed to
watch his girlfriend’s daughter, 2-year-old Sarai Staten, on Sunday.
When the woman returned home, Sarai was dead and Lewis was no where to be found.
A medical examiner is still trying to determine the girl’s exact cause of death, police said.

“We’re alleging that in result of his actions, this child is now deceased,”
said a Duncanville police spokesman. Lewis is wanted for capital murder. Police
believe he may be traveling through Montana, possibly by bus, on his
way to Canada. He was spotted in Helena and he may be staying in
shelters along the way. Lewis has a criminal record that includes assault,
robbery and injury to a child. Neighbors are just now learning about the tragedy.
“It’s awful to hear about it. A child’s life being caught so, so short,
it breaks my heart,” said Joy Shields. Those who knew Sarai hope Lewis
is caught quickly so that her mother can begin to find healing.
“It’s awful to know the child had to go through something like that. It’s not right,” Shields said.

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/022511-man-wanted-for-duncanville-toddler%E2%80%99s-death

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - A Texas fugitive suspected of killing a 2-year-old
girl near Dallas last week has been captured in Bellingham, police said.

The
suspect, identified as Johnny Lewis Jr., 43, fled Texas after the Feb.
20 killing and authorities believed he might try to cross the border
into Canada.
Bellingham police were provided with a detailed
physical description of Lewis, including a recent photo, which they
shared with local taxi and Whatcom Transit bus drivers.
At about
1:15 p.m Saturday, a Whatcom Transit driver called Bellingham police by
cell phone to tell them that a person matching the description of Lewis
just departed his bus at D and West Holly streets.
Several
officers responded but Lewis quickly ran from the scene. After a brief
foot pursuit, Lewis was captured and taken into custody.
Lewis
initially refused to tell officers his real name, but officers were able
to identify Lewis using his photo and a detailed description provided
by Texas authorities. He was booked into Whatcom County Jail, where he
admitted who he was.

Lewis is being held on $2 million bail on a fugitive warrant out of Dallas County, Texas.

Texas
authorities say Lewis was supposed to watch his girlfriend’s daughter,
2-year-old Sarai Staten, on Feb. 20. When the woman returned home, Sarai
was dead and Lewis was nowhere to be found.

Lewis has a criminal record that includes assault, robbery and injury to a child.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/117010343.html

Man Convicted of Capital Murder of Toddler Gets Life in Prison
Friday, May 18, 2012 | Filed under: City | Posted by: admin

A Dallas County Judge delivered a life in prison conviction on Thursday, May 17 for Johnny Lewis Jr., 44, for the capital murder of a 3-year-old female in Duncanville on February 20, 2011.

Lewis was supposed to watching his girlfriend’s daughter, Sarai Staten. However, when she returned home Sari was dead and Lewis was nowhere to be found.

As early as February 24, 2011 Lewis was spotted in Helena, Montana, and was believed to be fleeing to Canada.

Lewis was taken into custody on February 26 in Bellingham, Washington where he was found in a homeless shelter using an alias name.

Through coordinated efforts by the Duncanville Police Department, United States Marshals in Dallas and Seattle, and the Bellingham Police Department, Lewis was apprehended and later extradited to Dallas County.

“We are thankful for the tremendous support by the United States Marshals and the Bellingham Police Department and hope that this conviction helps bring some closure to the victim’s family,” said David Moon, Detective with the City of Duncanville Police Department.

http://myduncanville.com/man-convicted-of-capital-murder-of-toddler-gets-life-in-prison/