Mom’s ‘back-cracking adjustment’ on 3-month-old daughter led to brain injury, death, and astonishing admission: Cops

An Arizona mother allegedly killed her 3-month-old daughter when she performed what she called a “back-cracking adjustment.”

Wanda Johnson, 26, is facing charges of murder and child abuse, jail records show. Cops first responded on March 11 to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for a report of possible child abuse, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Phoenix CBS affiliate KPHO.

Johnson allegedly told officers she woke up that morning to her daughter having a seizure.

She reportedly had her brother search online for symptoms and then wrapped her baby in a blanket because she thought she was cold. The seizure seemed to stop so Johnson went back to sleep without calling 911, the affidavit reportedly said. Later in the morning, Johnson said the baby again had a seizure so she took the girl to Banner Estrella Hospital. Doctors determined her to be in critical condition and airlifted her to the children’s hospital

Once there, doctors discovered the girl had bleeding and swelling to the brain, broken ribs and liver damage, the affidavit reportedly said. Johnson’s daughter died two days later.

Johnson initially denied hurting her daughter but in subsequent interviews, she allegedly admitted to performing a “back-cracking adjustment” on the girl the day before she had the seizures.

Johnson demonstrated the adjustment on a doll and admitted to not having any chiropractic training, the affidavit reportedly said. She also allegedly said it was “probably reckless” to crack the girl’s back. The affidavit also reportedly stated that Johnson told officers it was a “possibility” that she hurt the child but “did not mean to hurt her.”

Cops took Johnson to the Maricopa County Jail on Monday where she’s being held on a $1 million bond. Her next court date is scheduled for Sept. 3.

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