AZ-Gabriel Johnson, 8 months News Media and Updated Information ONLY. No Discussion.

[Angel Who Cares]

Mom of missing Tempe baby in trouble for assaulting inmates
Last Update: 3:23 pm
<snipped>
The mother of an Arizona baby missing since December was placed in a Phoenix jail's psychiatric unit for evaluation after officials say she assaulted two fellow inmates and claimed a disciplinary food regime was starving her.

Jailers say they placed 23-year-old Elizabeth Johnson on their so-called nutra-loaf program after she was accused of the assaults. The loaves consist of dry milk powder, fruits and vegetables, chili powder, and bread dough compacted into a solid brick-like form; they are served to inmates twice a day.

Sheriff's officials say Johnson gave them a will she wrote after being put on the program, claiming that she is starving and refuses to eat the loaves because they're "full of rotten vegetables and worms."

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Brian Lee said her diet program was changed from the standard sack lunch in the morning and hot meal in the evening after she became "a management issue." According to Lee, in one case Johnson threw Windex into a fellow inmate's eye. It is unclear what happened in the second alleged assault.

Article:
http://www.abc15.com/content/news/s...by-in-trouble-for/6PhW8F-82kSl7PwFqFdGgw.cspx

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Sheriff: Elizabeth Johnson a Problem Inmate
Updated: Monday, 12 Apr 2010, 4:03 PM MDT
Published : Monday, 12 Apr 2010, 4:03 PM MDT
<snipped>
The mother of an Arizona baby missing since December was placed in a Phoenix jail's psychiatric unit for evaluation after officials say she assaulted two fellow inmates and claimed a disciplinary food regime was starving her.

Article:
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/local/elizabeth-johnson-a-problem-inmate-4-12-2010

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Johnson having management problems in jail; sent to psychiatric facility
Posted on April 12, 2010 at 2:50 PM
Updated today at 2:54 PM
<snipped>
Sheriff Joe Arpaio had recently indicated in local and national interviews that Johnson was a model inmate and had not created any problems while in jail.

Within the last week Johnson has reportedly been placed on the sheriff&#8217;s &#8216;nutra-loaf program&#8217; where the inmate eats only bread and water for allegedly assaulting two other inmates.

A spokesperson with the sheriff&#8217;s office says Jonson submitted a document titled &#8220;My Advanced Directive&#8217;s Will&#8221; to staff after being on the nutra-loaf program for several days. In the document Johnson says she refuses to eat the bread because she says it is full of rotten vegetables and worms.

Johnson&#8217;s letter prompted detention officers to transfer her to the jail&#8217;s psychiatric unit facility where she could be evaluated.

Video: Johnson misbehaving in jail; sent to psychiatric facility 0:30
http://www.azfamily.com/video/?id=90685084&sec=507087

Article:
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Johnso...il-sent-to-psychiatric-facility-90685084.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Missing kid's mom complains of jail starvation
April 12, 2010 - 3:09PM
<snipped>
The mother of missing 10-month-old Gabriel Johnson has been transferred to the Maricopa County Jail&#8217;s psychiatric unit so her mental state can be evaluated after she complained that she is starving.

Elizabeth Johnson, 23, of Tempe, who allegedly assaulted two inmates last week, is refusing to eat Sheriff Joe Arpaio&#8217;s &#8220;nutra-loaf&#8221; diet, consisting of bread and water, non-fat dry milk, fruit and vegetables, chili powder and bread dough, the sheriff&#8217;s office reported Monday.

Johnson complained that the vegetables were rotten and had worms in it, according to a document she submitted to deputies titled &#8220;My Advanced Directive&#8217;s Will.".

Article:
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/152729

 

[Angel Who Cares]

MCSO: Baby Gabriel Mom Assaulted Inmates
Elizabeth Johnson Sent To Psychiatric Unit
POSTED: 3:06 pm MST April 12, 2010
UPDATED: 3:34 pm MST April 12, 2010
<snipped>
Arpaio recently had said during media interviews that Johnson was a model inmate who had not created any problems.

Within the last week, however, Johnson was placed on Arpaio's controversial nutra-loaf program -- commonly referred to bread and water.

The loaves consist of nonfat dry milk powder, an assortment of fruits and vegetables, chili powder, and bread dough compacted into a brick-like loaf. The program gives inmates two loaves a day in isolation, rather than providing two regular meals consisting of a sack lunch in the morning and a hot meal in the evening.

The loaf program faced legal challenge in the case Bugoni vs. Coffman, which claimed it was unconstitutional punishment; however, when the federal judge granted summary judgment in favor of the Sheriff's Office on Friday, the issue was dismissed.

Arpaio said he started the loaf program 10 years ago as a means to prevent inmates from assaulting detention officers and other inmates. "I will not tolerate prisoners abusing my officers and other inmates by throwing urine, feces or assaulting them," Arpaio said. "For that type of behavior, they will go on bread and water."

Article:
http://www.kpho.com/news/23129173/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Mother of missing Ariz. baby placed in psych unit
April 12, 2010, 6:10PM
<snipped>
The mother of an Arizona baby missing since December was placed in a Phoenix jail's psychiatric unit for evaluation after she claimed a disciplinary food regime was starving her and allegedly assaulted two fellow inmates, officials said Monday. Elizabeth Johnson, 23, was placed on the so-called nutra-loaf program Friday as punishment after she was accused of assaulting two female inmates by spraying them with window cleaner on Thursday. They were not injured.

Arpaio said Johnson gave jail officials a will she wrote after being put on the program, claiming that she was starving. She said she refused to eat the loaves because they're "full of rotten vegetables and worms."

He said Johnson also wrote that she doesn't want to donate her organs and that she wants to be cremated and buried next to her mother's grave. That prompted her jailers to place her in the psychiatric unit on Saturday to be evaluated. She remained in the unit Monday and was being fed normal jail food.

"She was a model inmate, but evidently maybe the jail conditions have gotten to her," said Arpaio, who calls himself America's toughest sheriff. "I don't know what her agenda is," Arpaio said. "Maybe her conscience has gotten to her, but she sure doesn't like being incarcerated in our jail."

Tammi Smith, a north Scottsdale woman who wanted to adopt Gabriel from Johnson, also is charged in the case, although police said she was not connected to the boy's disappearance. Smith has pleaded not guilty to charges of felony forgery and conspiracy to commit custodial interference.

Both women were scheduled for court hearings on Friday.

Article:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6955676.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Missing Baby's Mom Goes on Hunger Strike
Read Elizabeth Johnson's will
Updated: Monday, 12 Apr 2010, 7:17 PM MDT
Published : Monday, 12 Apr 2010, 7:16 PM MDT
<snipped>
23-year-old Elizabeth Johnson, the woman imprisoned for kidnapping her son Gabriel and refusing to tell police where he is, has gone on a hunger strike and written a will to prepare for her death.

My Advanced Directive & Will (dated 4/9/2010)
I am writing my advanced directive and will because I am incarcerated in Estrella jail and they are starving me and serving rotten food with worms in it. I haven't eaten in over 7 days and barely can write this. The water&#8230; makes us sick. I feel they will let me starve to death rather than feeding me safe, edible food. I don't want an autopsy, I do not wish to donate any organs/body parts. That is against my religion. I wish my grandmother be contacted [phone number] only. I wish to be cremated right away, put in a box not an urn and brought to mass to be buried above my mother's grave. I know my grandmother Sylvia [last name] will arrange this for me. White lilies for me is all. I don't think I'll have time to have my lawyer notarize this because I am starving and so weak and dehydrated so I will put a tank order in for a notary. I love you Marzzy. I am sorry be happy for us.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Johnson

Article:
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/local/elizabeth-johnson-hunger-strike-4-12-2010

 

[Angel Who Cares]

MCSO: Baby Gabriel Mom Assaulted Inmates
Elizabeth Johnson Sent To Psychiatric Unit
POSTED: 3:06 pm MST April 12, 2010
UPDATED: 11:33 am MST April 13, 2010
<snipped>
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Elizabeth Johnson, the mother of still-missing Baby Gabriel, has become a management problem and was relocated to the psychiatric unit facility after assaulting two inmates.

&#8220;She took some cleaning material -- spray -- and sprayed two fellow inmates, female of course, in their eyes," said Arpaio.

Within the last week, however, Johnson was placed on Arpaio's controversial nutra-loaf program -- commonly referred to bread and water.

The loaves consist of nonfat dry milk powder, an assortment of fruits and vegetables, chili powder, and bread dough compacted into a brick-like loaf. The program gives inmates two loaves a day in isolation, rather than providing two regular meals consisting of a sack lunch in the morning and a hot meal in the evening.

Arpaio admitted the loaves were not very appealing, but insisted they were edible and provided nutritional value.

"I don't see any worms in there but it's hard to tell, you know. Quite frankly, I don't know that I'd eat this,&#8221; said Arpaio.

PDF: Elizabeth Johnson's Will
http://www.kpho.com/download/2010/0413/23137533.pdf

VIDEO REPORT: High Profile Inmate Refuses To Eat Nutraloaf 2:23
The mother of missing baby Gabriel Johnson is causing problems in jail.
http://www.kpho.com/video/23132226/index.html

RAW VIDEO: Sheriff Joe Arpaio Eats Nutraloaf 2:40
Maricopa County Sheriff Arpaio gives a taste test of food served to inmates who misbehave.
http://www.kpho.com/video/23142558/index.html

Article:
http://www.kpho.com/news/23129173/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

VIDEO: Handwriting Specialist Analyzes Inmates Will 2:19
http://www.kpho.com/video/23180310/index.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

TODAY SHOW VIDEO: Search for baby Gabriel continues 7:04
April 23: Authorities have charged the infant's mother in connection with the disappearance of her infant son, who hasn't been seen since December. Gabriel's father and his attorney talk to TODAY's Ann Curry about the case.
[ame="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/36733268#36733268"]Today Show Video Player[/ame]

 

[Angel Who Cares]

TODAY SHOW VIDEO: Search for baby Gabriel continues 7:04
April 23: Authorities have charged the infant's mother in connection with the disappearance of her infant son, who hasn't been seen since December. Gabriel's father and his attorney talk to TODAY's Ann Curry about the case.
[ame="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/36733268#36733268"]Today Show Video Player[/ame]

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Missing Baby's Mother Heads to Court
Updated: Monday, 26 Apr 2010, 7:09 AM MDT
Published : Monday, 26 Apr 2010, 7:07 AM MDT
<snipped>
Baby Gabriel has been missing since 2009 and on Monday, the one person who knows exactly what happened to him will head to court.

His mother, Elizabeth Johnson, hasn't been much help so far though.

Johnson kidnapped her son last year and went to San Antonio with him. She claims she gave the boy away to strangers, but also told the boys father that she killed him.

*Video report Included In Article!

&#8226;Full Coverage: Where's Baby Gabriel?
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/generic/news/gjohnson

Article:
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/local/phoenix/baby_gabriel_case_court_hearing_042610

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Video: Missing Baby's Mother Jail Assault
Updated: Monday, 26 Apr 2010, 6:44 PM MDT
Published : Monday, 26 Apr 2010, 6:44 PM MDT
<snipped>
Police say she assaulted two female inmates at the Maricopa County Jail, and surveillance video of the incident has been released.

Video from April 3 apparently shows Elizabeth Johnson grab a bottle of cleaning solution and spray another inmate in the face. The tape shows Johnson then walk towards a second inmate and again spray her with cleaning fluid.

Johnson has been in jail since January, charged with kidnapping. But she refuses to make statements regarding Gabriel's whereabouts. There are signs the stress of the trial and the months in jail are taking a toll on Johnson. She denies the assault accusations.

The police report says: "The other inmates in the pod were threatening her and making comments such as beating her [expletive] at recreation."

Johnson was placed in the jail's psychiatric ward. She was also refusing the eat Sheriff Arpaio's so-called Nutra-Loaf, made up of water, bread, powdered milk, vegetables, fruit, and chili powder.

*Video Included In Article: Missing Baby's Mother Jail Assault

Article:
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/local/phoenix/video-jail-assault

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Video: Missing Baby's Mother Jail Assault
Updated: Monday, 26 Apr 2010, 6:44 PM MDT
Published : Monday, 26 Apr 2010, 6:44 PM MDT
<snipped>
Police say she assaulted two female inmates at the Maricopa County Jail, and surveillance video of the incident has been released.

Video from April 3 apparently shows Elizabeth Johnson grab a bottle of cleaning solution and spray another inmate in the face. The tape shows Johnson then walk towards a second inmate and again spray her with cleaning fluid.

The police report says: "The other inmates in the pod were threatening her and making comments such as beating her [expletive] at recreation."[/U]

Johnson was placed in the jail's psychiatric ward. She was also refusing the eat Sheriff Arpaio's so-called Nutra-Loaf, made up of water, bread, powdered milk, vegetables, fruit, and chili powder.

*Video Included In Article: Missing Baby's Mother Jail Assault

Article:
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/local/phoenix/video-jail-assault

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Baby Gabriel among 11 E.V. kids who vanished
April 27, 2010 - 11:38AM
<snipped>
It&#8217;s been four months since the disappearance of Baby Gabriel first captured the attention of the Valley and the nation. There are six missing children from Tempe and five from Mesa, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children based in Virginia. Some of them have been missing so long they would now be adults if they are alive. They are among 64 missing children from Arizona alone, according to the center, which lists such cases on its website, www.missingkids.com.

Keeping their story alive
Sisters Jackie Leslie, 13, and Cynthia Leslie, 15, disappeared within a three-block area while walking along Baseline Road near Power Road from their east Mesa home on July 31, 1974. They were on their way to a party. &#8220;There&#8217;s never a day that I don&#8217;t say a prayer where I&#8217;ll find out what happened to my daughters,&#8221; said Erma Prue, 78, who now lives in Henderson, Nev., to be close to her oldest daughter, her only other child. &#8220;You never give up hope.&#8221;

There were conflicting statements as to whether the sisters attended the party. Some people questioned by police said they did; others said they stopped by briefly and left. &#8220;I believe they got in with the wrong crowd,&#8221; Prue said. Although no remains were ever found, the case is considered a homicide because of outstanding suspicious circumstances.

&#8216;We never want to give up&#8217;
Since it formed in 1986 with the help of &#8220;America&#8217;s Most Wanted&#8221; television personality John Walsh, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has recovered hundreds of children and returned them to their families, according to Bob Lowery Jr., executive director of the center&#8217;s missing children&#8217;s division. Acting on a firm belief that someone out there knows what happened in each incident and that time is the enemy of a missing children&#8217;s case, the center follows a case until it is known what happened to that child. But even then, some cases are never solved.

This year marked 11 years since Mikelle Biggs, 11, of Mesa, disappeared in a high-profile case that received national attention. Mikelle was last seen riding her bicycle near her home on Jan. 2, 1999.

Regardless of the circumstances, when a child is missing, parents hold onto hope for a long time that their family will be reunited, or that they will at least finally have answers. Nearly 36 years since her daughters vanished, Prue believes the truth is out there and that she will find it. &#8220;The only thing I can tell parents of missing children is that they have to trust God, and have faith in him &#8212; I know I do,&#8221; she said. &#8220;That&#8217;s what has kept me going.&#8221;
*Much more info at link!

SLIDESHOW: East Valley missing children cases
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/page/slideshow/1975

Article:
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/153084

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Missing Baby's Mother Opts Out of Court Appearance
Updated: Tuesday, 27 Apr 2010, 1:52 PM MDT
Published : Tuesday, 27 Apr 2010, 1:52 PM MDT
<snipped>
Elizabeth Johnson decided not to appear in court for a routine hearing.

Tammi Smith made appearance in court Tuesday. She's the Scottsdale woman who almost adopted Gabriel before he disappeared. Smith is accused of trying to forge documents to gain custody of the baby.

*Video Included In Article!

Article:
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/local/phoenix/baby_gabriel_case_court_hearing_042710

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Baby Gabriel's Mom Granted Psych Evaluation
April 27, 2010
<snipped>
Johnson's attorneys filed a motion to give her a psychological evaluation to see if she is competent to stand trial. The judge agreed to the evaluation.

Johnson's next court appearance is June 7.

Also appearing in court this morning in front of the same judge was Tammi Smith. She had hoped to adopt Gabriel before he disappeared. Smith has been charged with forgery and conspiracy to commit custodial interference. She's not charged in the baby's disappearance.

Amy Nguyen, Smith's attorney, asked the judge for more time to go over evidence in the case. "I think I lost count; it's boxes. A lot of it is disclosed on CDs so it's numerous documents, and I think we are in excess of 50 CDs at this point," Nguyen said in reference to the amount of evidence.

Video: Court Date For 2 Key Figures In Missing Baby Case 0:59
Attorneys for a Valley mother accused in the disappareance of her infant son were in court in Phoenix. on Tuesday.
http://www.kpho.com/video/23280141/index.html

Article:
http://www.kpho.com/news/23280642/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Mental state of Baby Gabriel's mom to be evaluated
April 27, 2010 - 3:24PM
<snipped>
Johnson&#8217;s evaluation will include her level of competency and whether she has any mental illnesses.

Judge Paul McMurdie allowed the motion requested by Johnson&#8217;s attorney, Nicholas Alcock, who has been representing Johnson for about two weeks and appeared with her in court for the first time on Tuesday. Alcock cited that Johnson was heavily medicated by Maricopa County jail doctors after a recent stay in the psychiatric unit and she remains on medication.

Johnson&#8217;s next court hearing on the charges are scheduled for June 7.

Johnson also was scheduled to appear in Maricopa County Family Court today for contempt of court proceedings for refusing violating court orders and refusing to reveal the baby&#8217;s whereabouts, but Judge Michael McVey ruled Johnson could invoke her 5th Amendment right. An appeal is pending in the Arizona Court of Appeals, according to Karen Arra, spokeswoman for the Maricopa County Superior Court.

Article:
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/153095

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Baby Gabriel's mom accused of assaulting inmate in Arizona jail
Posted on April 28, 2010 at 6:50 AM
<snipped>
The mother of the missing Baby Gabriel is in even more trouble.

Elizabeth Johnson is now facing assault charges after allegedly attacking an inmate at the Maricopa County Jail in Arizona, where she's being held in the child's disappearance.

Johnson is now undergoing a mental evaluation.

&#8226;IN DEPTH COVERAGE: Follow the search for Baby Gabriel
http://www.kens5.com/news/in-depth/baby-gabriel/

Article:
http://www.kens5.com/news/Baby-Gabr...saulting-inmate-in-Arizona-jail-92298854.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Friend Says Missing Baby is Alive
Updated: Monday, 03 May 2010, 8:09 AM MDT
Published : Monday, 03 May 2010, 8:09 AM MDT
<snipped>
Baby Gabriel Johnson is 1 year old, but the search for him continues. May 3 is his first birthday, and more than four months following the child's disappearance, his mother Elizabeth Johnson, is still behind bars and investigators are trying to determine whether Gabriel is alive or dead.

23-year-old Sorin Stanescu says stands by Elizabeth and says he's one of the only friends she has left. Stanescu met Johnson a few years ago. Two nights before the baby disappeared, Elizabeth stayed at his apartment with Gabriel. He offered to take care of them.

"I have a second room. I said I will support the baby..I will buy everything..don't worry about the money. I told her I was going to do all of that for her." Stanescu said. On the morning of December 18, Stanescu woke up and found that Johnson was gone.

He also says Johnson lied to the police in the beginning, to protect the people that helped her to have the unknown couple take care of Gabriel. She has since given all the information she knows to police. "She only tell me she gave the baby to these people..and she didn't ask for information. She didn't do it because she trusted them with her heart." Stanescu said.

*Video Interview Included In Article!

Article:
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/local/phoenix/baby_gabriel_case_050310