WILKES-BARRE – Court records filed in Luzerne County show that three people who live in the house where a baby was found with bruises and later died at the hospital, have applied for public defenders.
A search warrant of 351 North Washington Street identified the victim as two month old Antonio Evans, who was found with “raccoon eye” bruises, as well as bruises on the baby’s upper lip and bottom.
According to the court document, Luzerne County’s coroner said the bruises are likely from abuse and assault, and ruled the death a homicide.
Authorities have not filed any charges in the death of baby Antonio Evans.
Additional documents filed inside the Luzerne County Courthouse revealed that Tamika Johnson, William Johnson and Lamika Evans have requested public defenders.
Before Tamika Johnson was married and changed her name from Tamika Evans, court records show that she served time in jail for a child abuse arrest in 2009.
At that time, authorities said the woman abused a boy she was babysitting, and that the child was flown to a hospital in Philadelphia for head injuries.
Parents who live on North Washington Street told Newswatch 16 that they are disgusted by the latest crime.
“I don`t see how people can do that to a little baby. They can`t fight back or anything. They`re helpless, they`re relying on you to take care of them,” said Megan Kaminski.
Other people in the neighborhood said they are saddened by the 11th homicide of 2013 in Wilkes-Barre.
“The city of Wilkes-Barre, they got to do something,” said Richard Sokol. “This north end part of town is getting crazier and crazier, and it’s getting bad.”