Ohio Mother and Her Partner Arrested After 8-Year-Old Boy Is Found Dead Hidden in Family Home

An investigation into the disappearance of an 8-year-old boy in Columbus, Ohio, took a devastating turn in June 2024 when authorities discovered his body hidden in the attic of his family’s home. The discovery led to the arrest of his mother and her partner, while an Amber Alert was issued for his two younger brothers.

Martonio Wilder was reported missing on June 28, 2024. His mother, Lashanda Wilder, contacted police and told officers she had last seen him the previous evening. Authorities initially began searching the neighborhood, but the investigation soon took a more serious turn.

According to court records and local media reports, investigators later searched the home and found Martonio’s body concealed in the attic. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office determined that he died from compression of the neck.

Amber Alert Issued for His Two Brothers

As the investigation unfolded, police became concerned about the whereabouts of Martonio’s two brothers, who were 3 and 9 years old at the time.

An Amber Alert was issued as authorities worked to locate the children. Both boys were eventually found safe at a family acquaintance’s residence and placed in protective care.

Police said Lashanda Wilder and her partner, Johnna Lowe, had left the area with the children during the initial investigation. The two women later turned themselves in to authorities.

The search for the missing brothers ended safely, but investigators continued examining the circumstances surrounding Martonio’s death.

Mother and Partner Face Criminal Charges

Lashanda Wilder was charged in connection with her son’s death, while both she and Lowe faced additional allegations related to obstruction of justice and other offenses.

Court proceedings revealed allegations of previous abuse. Prosecutors said Martonio had experienced repeated mistreatment before his death, including being beaten and subjected to harsh punishment. They also alleged that the women discussed a plan to claim the boy had run away.

These details emerged through court testimony and investigative records. The allegations against each defendant were subject to the criminal justice process.

The Case Takes a Further Turn

In June 2025, Lowe pleaded guilty to murder and gross abuse of a corpse. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years, according to local reporting.

The case against Martonio’s mother proceeded separately. The guilty plea and sentence in Lowe’s case marked a major development in an investigation that had begun with a missing-child report.

Remembering Martonio

For Martonio’s relatives, the case represented a heartbreaking loss. Family members described him as a child who deserved safety, care and love.

The case also raised difficult questions about how signs of abuse can be recognized and how vulnerable children can be protected before harm becomes irreversible.

Although the Amber Alert helped authorities locate Martonio’s brothers safely, it could not undo the tragedy that had already taken place. The criminal proceedings that followed sought to establish responsibility for the boy’s death and the actions taken afterward.

Sources:

• KHOU 11
• PEOPLE
• NBC4 Columbus