Woman charged with capital murder in blunt force trauma death of Birmingham toddler
Updated May 11, 2021;
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A 34-year-old woman is charged with capital murder in the December blunt force trauma death of her boyfriend’s toddler daughter.
Tykeila Johnson is charged in the killing of 18-month-old Kar’Mynn Brachelle Gaines. The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Tykeila Lesha Johnson on Monday, five months to the day after Kar’Mynn died.
Kar’Mynn was injured Nov. 16 and then taken off life support Dec. 10, 2020. The charge is capital because of the victim’s age.
Marshals took Johnson into custody about 2:45 p.m. at an apartment in the 20 block of Sixth Avenue North in Birmingham. She was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 8:09 p.m. Monday and remains held without bond.
By Erica Thomas, managing editor
CLAY A former high school teacher of Destiny Washington offered condolences to the family Friday after hearing of the shooting death of the 20-year-old nursing student.
Melanie Gaines taught Washington at Clay-Chalkville High School. She had her for AP English when she was in 11th grade and had her in the National Honors Society in 11th and 12th grade. When Gaines opened Facebook Friday morning and saw the story of her passing, she said she couldn’t believe what she was reading.
“It’s such a tragedy for her family,” Gaines said. “As a teacher, your students are always your kids, no matter how many years pass. It’s always hard.”
Birmingham toddler’s blunt force trauma death ruled a homicide
Updated Dec 12, 2020;
The blunt force trauma death of a Birmingham girl who died two days ago has been ruled a homicide.
Birmingham police on Saturday said foul play was involved in the death of Kar’Mynn Brachelle Gaines. The 18-month died hours after she was taken off life support Thursday afternoon at Children’s of Alabama.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said Kar’Mynn suffered blunt force trauma to the head. She was injured sometime on Monday, Nov. 16. The injury happened at a private residence in the 600 block of Carraway Boulevard while in the care of someone other than her parents.
‘She’s an angel now’: Family mourns toddler girl who died from head injury
Updated Dec 11, 2020;
A little girl who died Thursday, weeks after she suffered a traumatic brain injury, is being remembered for the joy she brought to others throughout her short life.
“My baby deserved the world, but she didn’t deserve this,’ said the girl’s father, Kameron Gaines. “She’s an angel now.”
Kar’Mynn Brachelle Gaines, who was 18 months old, died hours after she was taken off life support Thursday afternoon at Children’s of Alabama. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said Kar’Mynn suffered blunt force trauma to the head. Birmingham police have not released any information about what led to her injuries or the status of their investigation.