Bond reduced in fetus case

FLORENCE - Jennifer Darlene Johnson, who is charged with manslaughter in the death of her unborn daughter, remained silent Friday during a 10-minute bond reduction hearing in Lauderdale County District Court.

Johnson, 30, 1796 Lauderdale 7, Florence, had been held on a $50,000 bond at the Lauderdale County Detention Center since her arrest July 14. She is accused of causing the death of the seven-month fetus by cutting the umbilical cord.

After hearing a request Friday from defense attorney Jenny Behel, of Florence, District Judge Carole Medley reduced Johnson's bond to $25,000.

Florence police said the baby was dead when it was born July 11 at Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield. Hospital personnel contacted police after discovering the umbilical cord had been severed.

Lauderdale District Attorney Chris Connolly asked that the bond remain at $50,000. Connolly told the judge he had received a report from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences that indicated Johnson had traces of several drugs, including Xanex and Valium, in her system when she was arrested.

"We believe the bond set by Judge (Mike) Suttle is a fair and reasonable bond in this case," Connolly said.

Behel argued that the drug residue could have been from prescription medications Johnson received at the hospital.

She told Medley that Johnson's family has limited resources and could not afford to secure her release on a $50.000 bond. Behel asked that Johnson's bond be reduced to $2,000.

In reducing Johnson's bond, Medley set several requirements, including that she live with an aunt in St. Florian, be home by 9 p.m. every day and not use illegal drugs or consume alcoholic beverages.

Medley granted a request by Connolly that if Johnson is able to post bond, she sign a waiver of extradition in case she flees to another state in a bid to avoid prosecution.

Johnson remained in the detention center Friday.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@TimesDaily.com.