A Norfolk couple has been sentenced for their roles in the 2024 death of their nine-day-old daughter, Iijayah.
The couple had brought their baby to a hospital and claimed the infant had sustained injuries in a stroller fall.
Medical staff found the newborn unresponsive and “cold to the touch,” right before she succumbed to her injuries.
Highlights
- Norfolk couple sentenced for 2024 death of their 9-day-old daughter Iijayah due to blunt trauma inconsistent with stroller fall.
- Parents claimed baby fell from stroller two days before hospital visit; hospital staff noticed burns, cuts, and bruises on infant.
- Hilary Johnson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, sentenced to 19 years plus 21 years suspended with probation.
- Z'Ibreyea Parker pleaded guilty to felony child abuse, received max 10-year sentence and 3 years post-release supervision.
A Norfolk couple has been sentenced after the death of their newborn daughter
Image credits: Norfolk Police Department
According to the Office of the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney in Virginia, Hilary Darnell Johnson II, 24, and his wife, Z'Ibreyea Shantel Parker, 22, brought their baby to the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters on May 4, 2024.
The parents told hospital workers that the baby had fallen from her stroller two days earlier while Johnson was jogging. They said they treated her at home with witch hazel and gauze.
The parents brought the baby to the hospital upon noticing that her appetite had decreased and that she seemed to have trouble breathing.
“The parents struggled to provide a precise birthdate for their daughter and laughed while checking in,” the office said.
Image credits: Google Maps
It further stated that the hospital staff alerted authorities after they “observed signs of abuse on Iijayah’s body, including burns on the bottoms of her feet, two cuts to the top of her head and face, and bruises on her back.”
A subsequent autopsy found the cause of death to be blunt trauma that was inconsistent with a fall from a stroller.
Both parents denied causing any harm to their baby. “Neither the autopsy nor the investigation could establish which parent had inflicted Iijayah’s injuries,” the Commonwealth Attorney's Office said, noting that the evidence “pointed more strongly to Mr. Johnson.”
On August 4, 2025, Johnson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Judge Jamilah D. LeCruise sentenced him on October 24 to 19 years in prison—the maximum allowed under his plea agreement.
An additional 21 years were suspended under conditions, including five years of supervised probation and no unsupervised contact with minors during that period.
Image credits: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Parker pleaded guilty to felony child abuse on August 19. Her murder charge was dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Sentencing guidelines suggested probation or up to six months in jail because of her lack of criminal history.
Still, Judge Jennifer L. Fuschetti imposed the maximum 10-year sentence allowed under Virginia law, along with three years of post-release supervision.
During sentencing, Judge Fuschetti noted the infant’s malnutrition and the parents’ continued failure to explain her injuries.
‘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 (pictured below)
Image credits: Fatehi for Norfolk
“There is no victim more vulnerable than a newborn baby,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Iijayah came into the world in need of love and protection from her mother and father. What she got instead was suffering and death.”
Fatehi added that the case was challenging because either parent could have blamed the other.
“In both cases, we secured a conviction and left the sentencing to the wisdom of the judge. We will continue to work the difficult cases and to honor the memory of innocent victims like Iijayah who cannot speak for themselves,” he said.
Officials urge anyone who suspects child abuse to call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 or visit childhelp.org. In emergencies, residents should call 911.