Suspects in connection with Amber Alert in connection with the boy’s death must appear in court

Daniel Griffin, Mark Feuerborn, Brian Hofmann, Orri Benatar and David DeGuzman

11 minutes ago

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Two women charged in connection with the death of an 8-year-old boy that prompted an Amber Alert are due in court Monday morning.

According to court records, Lashanda Wilder, 32, and her friend Johnna Lowe, 33, are facing arraignment in Franklin County Municipal Court. Wilder is charged with murder and obstruction of justice, and Lowe is charged with obstruction of justice.

Police said Wilder and two of her children were the subject of an Amber alert issued Friday night. While investigating the case, Columbus police found the body of Wilder’s son, Martonio Wilder, hidden in the attic of the family’s home, police said.

Wilder’s two other children were found safe and sound later Friday evening at the home of a friend of Lowe.

Columbus police were first called to the Wilders’ home around noon Friday. According to court documents, Wilder said she last saw Martonio there Thursday evening.

Police issued a missing person’s report for Martonio but did not raise it to an Amber Alert. They began a sniffer dog search of the neighborhood, after which Wilder and Lowe disappeared without telling police where they were going. With them were two other children, ages 9 and 3.

When police were unable to locate Wilder, officers obtained a search warrant for the home, which led to the discovery of the boy’s body.

The other two children were found after the Amber Alert was issued on Friday.

Arrest warrants were issued for Wilder and Lowe early Saturday; both were in police custody at 5 p.m.