Misc. Cases II

[Lady Cop]

what pieces of shit.

WDSU

Woman Falsely ID'd In Kenner Shoplifting, Child Abandonment
Mother Falsely Identified Woman In Incident, Police Say

April 10, 2012

KENNER, La. -- Police said a woman was falsely identified as the suspect who shoplifted, used a stun gun on a security guard and left an infant at the Esplanade Mall on Saturday.

Kenner police spokesman said the mother of the abandoned child, Stephanie Johnson, identified Brittany London, 21, as the person who was responsible. However, hours after London's name circulated the Internet, she arrived in tears at Kenner police headquarters to clear her name.

"I have never been in trouble with the law. I have never went to jail in my life, and I was scared," London said. "I know everybody is trashing me on Facebook and Twitter."

Police said Johnson knew London from Facebook. London said she doesn't know the mother of the abandoned child.

"She says that she's friends with a friend who's friends with me or one of her friends is friends with me. I don't know how she got to my page," London said. "I'm definitely deleting my Facebook page. I don't need that no more."

In the Saturday incident, police said when a mall security guard approached the woman, she pulled out a stun gun and shot him.

Police said the woman fled, pushing the stroller with the baby inside. She was chased to the parking lot, where officers said she got into a gold Honda Accord. The woman left the baby and fled the scene, police said.

The African-American baby, who investigators said was estimated to be between 6 months to 8 months old, was placed in protective custody until a relative could be located.

Johnson came forward, claiming to be the child's mother. However, police said Johnson wasn't forthcoming in identifying the person who left her child behind and alone. As of Monday afternoon, after Johnson recanted London as the suspect, she said it was her sister-in-law, Charbaney Smith, who left her baby behind after the incident, police said.

"OCS is concerned not only where the child is going to go, but what kind of responsible parent is going to say, 'Oh, it wasn't me. Someone else had my child.' But then not know a whole lot about the person that had their child?" McInnis said.

Police said the woman would have only faced a misdemeanor shoplifting charge but now will face felony charges, including child endangerment and aggravated battery.

Johnson now faces a charge of obstruction of justice, falsely identifying London as the suspect.

"I was shocked," London said. "I'm just clearing my name. It wasn't me. They got the identity messed up and my nerves is something bad. I don't know the mother of the child. I don't know none of them."

Johnson met with London briefly inside the Kenner Police Department.

"Basically, they told me she told a whole lie. She mixed up her story," London said. "She wanted to apologize. I really didn't accept it."

London's father, Henry Carter Sr., said he is furious with the situation and his anger is turned toward the investigation by police.

"We were in Amite -- Amite, Louisiana," he said. "We got 100 witnesses saying we was in Amite. ... This is sloppy police work. They done damaged my daughter. She'll be damaged the rest of her life. ... It's hard to accept. We live by the law, but this is wrong."

His son, Henry Carter Jr., agreed, saying, "The Kenner Police Department should have waited and investigated and pressed down on this lady who claimed it was Brittany, before they put Brittany's name out there."

London and her family agree that an apology from the mother and correcting the story isn't enough. They said the damage has been done and they are going to pursue legal action.

Police said criminals sometimes lie, and they stand by their detective work.

"This is a case of the criminal, the mother of this infant, identifying a person; identifying not only by name, but identifying her photograph in a lineup to remove suspicion from herself," said Kenner police Chief Steve Caraway.

Police continue to look for Smith. They said they believe the mother might have been trying to protect her.

"That's what it seems like," Caraway said. "Again, the sister-in-law (Smith) has active warrants on her for theft, simple battery."

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Kenner Police Department at 504-712-2222 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.




Charbaney Smith-thief. still at large



Stephanie Johnson- dirtbag mother