The search for a missing Ohio boy ended tragically when his body was found in an attic, and now, his mother is facing murder charges.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, police obtained a search warrant and discovered LaShanda Wilder’s son, 8-year-old Martonio Wilder, deceased in a trash bag and sleeping bag in the attic at their Columbus home, in the 1000 block of Olmstead Avenue.
Columbus police reported that Wilder allegedly hindered the search efforts and left home with her partner, Johnna Lowe, on Friday evening, along with two other children. The children were later found safe at a family member’s home.
They turned themselves in the following afternoon, police said, and both face charges of obstruction of justice. The coroner determined that Martonio died from “deep neck compression,” ruling his death a homicide.
Family member Rachelle Knight told WBNS 10 that Wilder said Martonio had run away. Knight said she showed up Wilder’s home to help look for him, while police used drones and helicopter’s in the search.
“How could you, when you got all us out here looking for him they looking, they looking and the whole time he dead?” Knight said.
Knight added that Martonio was treated differently compared to Wilder’s other children. She recounted how he confided in her about being made to eat inside a closet and drink sanitizer. Knight said that she and other family members attempted to intervene.
“I’m still in disbelief because how dare you, if you didn’t love your son you should’ve let him stay with people who love him,” Knight said.
“He was 8 years old, 8 years old Lashanda, how?”
Wilder was schedule to appear in court via video Monday at the Franklin County Municipal Court, but didn’t show up after a jail officer said she was being “unruly,” The Columbus Dispatch reports.
Judge Gina Russo subsequently ordered Wilder to remain behind bars on a $2 million bond. Lowe was ordered to remain behind bars on a $50,000 bond.
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[Featured image: Martonio Wilder/Columbus Division of Police]
