New details have emerged after a Florida mother allegedly strapped her son to a booster seat and watched him die without helping him.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Rebecca Louise Gussage-Johnston, 24, was arrested on May 19 after her 2-year-old son died from injuries after being strapped to the booster seat for more than 15 hours. Gussage-Johnston admitted to “punishing” the boy because he was “acting out.”
The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner later determined the boy’s death was “a homicide due to severe neglect.” Gussage-Johnston is now facing capital first-degree murder “while engaged in aggravated child abuse” charges.
During an interview with investigators, it was determined that the defendant was the child’s sole caregiver at the time of his death. She’s accused of watching him shake uncontrollably and “take his last breath,” while failing to intervene and seek medical help, despite having a “working cell phone,” police said.
“The defendant last observed the victim to be asleep in the table booster seat-sitting upright on May 19, 2023 around 0000 hours,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement.
“The defendant discovered the victim in the morning on May 19, 2023 to be laying on the floor on right side, still restrained by the table booster seat, but having flipped over and no longer upright.”
The police report indicated that the victim had head trauma, bruises, and wounding. The defendant allegedly admitted that the following day after she left him in the booster seat overnight, she watched him “suffer from seizures and shaking uncontrollably.”
Family members told WFLA that Gussage-Johnston lived in an RV with the boy, an 8-month-old daughter, and the children’s father. It’s not clear where the father was during this time, but family said the daughter was placed in the care of her grandfather.
HCSO is asking anyone with additional information about this case to call 813-247-8200.
The investigation continues. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Rebecca Gussage-Johnston/Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office]
