Mother and boyfriend charged after death of 20-month-old child in Lexington

FAYETTE COUNTY, Kentucky (LEX 18) – Charges were filed Monday against two people accused of abuse following the July 6 death of 20-month-old Joshua Bowen.

According to the indictment, 27-year-old Briana Leigh Johnson and her boyfriend, 22-year-old Kyle Shannon-Lee Guindon, were both charged with first-degree criminal abuse. Guindon was also charged with first-degree assault.

The original indictment filed in Guindon's case said the boy had “bruises on his face that appeared to be in varying stages of healing. The child appeared to be malnourished and indicated severe underweight.”

The indictment also stated that he had suffered “apparently severe blunt force trauma to the eye, which could have resulted in his death.”

The indictment filed this week alleges that Guindon “inflicted serious injury on Joshua by means of a dangerous object.”

Joshua's grandmother, Jennifer Laudermilk, previously told LEX 18's Kayleigh Randle that there were several attempts to contact CPS for help before his death.

“He was just a really sweet baby,” Laudermilk said. “He was sweet and just wanted someone to love him and be nice to him.”

First-degree criminal abuse is a Class B felony if the victim is under 12 years old, and can be punished with up to 20 years if convicted. First-degree assault is also a Class B felony, and can be punished with up to 20 years if convicted.