Sentenced: 9-Day-Old Infant Death A Homicide, Parents Charged

[Sugar Cookie]

Hilary D. Johnson, 23, and Zibreyea S. Parker, 21 have been arrested in the death of their 9-day-old child.

The infant was brought to the hospital unresponsive and showing signs of abuse.

The child was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Source Article

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/norfolk-police-9-day-old-infant-death-a-homicide-2-charged/

 

[Crazy Cat Lady]

NINE DAYS OLD?

 

[runninfawn]

NINE DAYS OLD?

that was my re-action also but followed by a string of words i wouldn't dare repeat....

 

[Crazy Cat Lady]

that was my re-action also but followed by a string of words i wouldn't dare repeat....

Me too!

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Hilary Johnson Sr. told WAVY his granddaughter, I'ijayah, should never have left the hospital. He reportedly told hospital staff his son and his son's girlfriend were not fit to be parents, but his concerns were ignored. Now, he's mourning the death of his first grandchild.

According to Johnson Sr., the pair were homeless and both struggled with mental health issues. He told WAVY the young parents were living in a tent and did not have the means to take care of themselves or a baby.

"They was bright kids that I don't know what in the world snapped into them to live the way they were living," Johnson Sr. said. "I don't know. I prayed to myself before she [I'ijayah] came here and I said, 'Lord, please let her maternal instincts kick in that she wants to protect that baby, that she don't want to live the way she was living, that she wants more for her and her child."

According to court documents obtained by WTKR, when I'ijayah arrived at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, she was unresponsive. Her body showed signs of physical trauma, including burns, lacerations, bruises, and symptoms of shaken-baby syndrome. Parker allegedly told staff she didn't believe the injuries were serious and chose to treat her at home.

Grandfather Warned Hospital He Feared for Newborn Baby's Life Days Before She Was Allegedly Killed by Her Parents

The grandfather says he knew the baby's parents were not fit to take her home.

cafemom.com

The grandfather's gofundme to bury Lijayah

Donate to Iijayah Johnson, organized by Hilary Johnson

Hi my name is Hillary Johnson I am the grandfather of Iijayah Johnson she was nine days old before she … Hilary Johnson needs your support for Iijayah Johnson

www.gofundme.com

 

[McDanel]

Burns, lacerations, and bruises, over just 9 days. I can't summon any more words.

 

[cubby]

Grandpa warned them and they still let her go with them. Whoever allowed this should go down with them.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

A woman accused in the death of her 9-day-old daughter pleaded guilty to child abuse and neglect.

According to court documents, on Aug. 19, Z’Ibreyea Parker entered an agreement to plead guilty to child abuse and neglect with serious injury in exchange for the charge of second-degree murder to be nolle prosequi, or dropped.

Parker and Hilary Johnson, the parents of 9-day-old I’ijayah Johnson, were indicted on charges of second-degree murder and child abuse on March 5, 2025 after court documents stated I’ijayah showed signs of abuse following her death on May 4, 2024, including lacerations, burns to the feet, bruises and signs of shaken baby syndrome.

Documents state that Norfolk Police responded to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter’s around 1:15 p.m. on May 4 after I’ijayah was found cold to the touch and with signs of abuse. Both Johnson and Parker were said to have initially brought I’ijayah to CHKD just after 12:30 p.m., where she was shortly afterwards pronounced dead.

During a court hearing in January of 2025, a CHKD nurse testified that both Johnson and Parker seemed to not take their daughter’s situation seriously and that they were initially unable to get the date of birth and spelling of their daughter’s name correct.

Recently, on Aug. 6, the father, Johnson, pled guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for his child abuse charge to be nolle prosequi. Court documents state Johnson faces up to 19 years in prison for his role in the death of I’ijayah.

MSN

 

[Sugar Cookie]

A Norfolk father charged with abusing and murdering his 9-day-old daughter was sentenced to 19 years in prison Friday.

Hilary Johnson II, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the death of the infant. As part of a plea agreement, child abuse charges were nolle prosequi, meaning prosecution on those counts is paused but could be brought back later. Johnson also agreed not to appeal the sentencing decision. Court records show he was sentenced to 40 years with 21 years suspended, leaving him 19 years to serve.

Johnson and the child’s mother, Z’ibreyea Parker, 21, were arrested in May. Prosecutors said the day before they arrived at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD), the couple lived in a homeless camp near Brambleton Avenue. Johnson told detectives that while on a walk, the baby was not secure and fell out of the stroller, striking its head on the ground. Parker attempted to treat the child’s injuries with witch hazel, peroxide, and gauze, but neither parent sought medical help before bringing the baby to CHKD.

Surveillance video showed the couple taking a 14-minute light-rail ride from Harbor Park to the hospital, during which prosecutors believe the child may have already been unresponsive. Witnesses said the couple did not appear worried or upset about their daughter’s condition.

MSN

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Z’Ibreyea Shantel Parker, 22, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for felony child abuse.

Parker pleaded guilty to child abuse on Aug. 19, 2025. The murder charge was dismissed due to insufficient evidence. At her Oct. 31 sentencing, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the maximum for felony child abuse, with three years of post-release supervision. The judge noted the malnutrition of the baby and the severity of the case.

“There is no victim more vulnerable than a newborn baby. Iijayah came into the world in need of love and protection from her mother and father. What she got instead was suffering and death,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “We will continue to work the difficult cases and to honor the memory of innocent victims like Iijayah who cannot speak for themselves.”

MSN