Glendale police arrested 20-year-old Johnny Brazell II and 20-year-old Leilah Lopez for the murder of her two-year-old child, identified as Braxton.
According to the Glendale Police Department, just after 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, officers responded to a report of a sick or injured child near the six-thousand block and West Golden Lane. The 9-1-1 call, which was made by Brazell, advised his two-year-old stepson was not breathing and had no pulse. He further stated the child had been attacked by a dog earlier in the morning causing a gash and bump on his head.
Life-saving measures were provided by the Glendale Fire Department, but the child was pronounced deceased at a local hospital.
The treating physicians and officers observed numerous bruises of varying sizes and colors across the entirety of the child’s body, to include swelling and bruising to his eyes, head and a significant skull fracture. These injuries were determined to be
consistent with child abuse.
When interviewed by police, both Brazell and Lopez provided inconsistent stories about the child being attacked by a dog. Upon further questioning and investigation, Brazell admitted to killing the child. Brazell indicated he had hit the child multiple times with a leather belt while dangling him in the air by his leg. At one point, Brazell admitted to dropping him on his head
onto a hardwood floor and swinging the child’s body into objects within the room, striking his head against some furniture.
Although the child sustained visible injuries and had shallowed breathing neither Brazell or Lopez contacted 9-1-1. The two eventually called after the child was no longer breathing. Both Brazell and Lopez agreed to lie to police, paramedics and the hospital about what had occurred.
Brazell and Lopez were booked on First Degree Murder charges as well as Child Abuse charges.