Erica Green was a shy and sweet girl who loved to play with her dolls and watch cartoons. She was born on May 15, 1997, in McLoud, Oklahoma, to Michelle Johnson and Larry Green. She had eight siblings and lived with her mother and stepfather, Harrell Johnson, in a trailer park. Erica’s life was cut short when she was only three years old, after she was brutally beaten and decapitated by her stepfather in Kansas City, Missouri, in April 2001. Her body was found near a park, but her identity remained unknown for four years, until a tip from her grandfather led to her identification and the arrest of her killers. This is the tragic story of Erica Green, also known as Precious Doe, and the quest for justice for her murder.
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The Discovery of Precious Doe
On April 28, 2001, a man was walking his dog near Hibbs Park at 59th Street and Kensington Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, when he stumbled upon a horrific sight: the decapitated body of a young African-American girl, wearing a purple shirt and sweatpants. The girl had been beaten with an ashtray and kicked several times, causing extensive injuries throughout her body. She had also been decapitated with a pair of hedge clippers, in an attempt to prevent her identification. The ashtray and the hedge clippers were found near the body, but they had no fingerprints or DNA. The police were notified and launched an investigation, but they had no clues about the girl’s identity or the motive for her murder.
Three days later, on May 1, 2001, the girl’s head was found wrapped in a trash bag, about 200 yards away from where her body was discovered. The head was badly decomposed, having been exposed to the elements for days. The police released sketches, computerized facial reconstructions, and two busts of the girl, hoping that someone would recognize her and come forward. They also gave her a name: Precious Doe, a term used for unidentified children. The case attracted national attention and media coverage, as people were shocked and outraged by the brutality of the crime and the mystery of the girl’s identity. The police received over 1,000 tips, but none of them led to a breakthrough. Precious Doe remained unidentified for four years, while her killers remained free.
The Identification of Erica Green
On May 5, 2005, the mystery of Precious Doe was finally solved, thanks to a tip from a man who claimed to be her grandfather. The man, who lived in Oklahoma, had seen an ad in a newspaper that offered a $33,000 reward for information about Precious Doe. The ad was placed by Alonzo Washington, a community activist and missing child advocate, who had been working tirelessly to keep the case in the public eye. The man recognized the girl in the ad as his granddaughter, Erica Green, whom he had not seen for several years. He provided photos of Erica and information about her parents, Michelle Johnson and Harrell Johnson, who had moved to Kansas City in 2001. He also said that Erica had a distinctive scar on her left eyebrow, which matched the one on Precious Doe’s head.
Washington passed the information to the police in Kansas City and Muskogee, Oklahoma, where the couple lived. The police arrested Michelle and Harrell Johnson on unrelated charges and questioned them about Erica’s death. Michelle confessed that she was Erica’s mother and that she had helped Harrell dispose of Erica’s body after he had killed her. She said that Harrell had kicked Erica in the head on April 28, 2001, after she refused to go to bed. Erica had lain in the house for two days, unconscious and bleeding, until she died. Harrell then used the hedge clippers to cut off her head and put it in a trash bag. Michelle took Erica’s body out of the house in a stroller, pretending that she was sleeping, and left it near the park. She then returned to the house and helped Harrell get rid of Erica’s head. The couple then fled to Oklahoma, leaving behind Erica’s eight siblings, who were taken into state custody or placed with relatives.
The Trial and Conviction of Erica’s Killers
On December 3, 2005, the prosecutors announced that they would seek the death penalty against Harrell Johnson for Erica’s murder. He was charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, and tampering with evidence. Michelle Johnson was charged with second-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child. She agreed to testify against Harrell in exchange for a plea deal that would spare her the death penalty. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after 21 years.
Harrell Johnson’s trial began on October 20, 2008, in Kansas City. The jury heard the testimony of Michelle Johnson, who described how Harrell had abused Erica and killed her. They also heard the testimony of Lawanda Driskell, Harrell’s cousin, who said that she had seen Erica’s body in the house and that Harrell had confessed to her that he had killed Erica. The jury also saw the photos and the evidence of Erica’s injuries and the tools used to decapitate her. The defense argued that Harrell was mentally ill and had acted under the influence of drugs and alcohol. They also claimed that Michelle was the one who had kicked Erica and that Harrell had only cut off her head to protect Michelle.
On October 31, 2008, the jury found Harrell Johnson guilty of all charges. They also recommended that he be sentenced to death. On December 18, 2008, the judge agreed with the jury’s recommendation and sentenced Harrell Johnson to death by lethal injection. He was also sentenced to 15 years for child abuse and four years for tampering with evidence, to run consecutively. Harrell Johnson was sent to the Potosi Correctional Center, where he remains on death row. He has filed several appeals, but none of them have been successful.
The Legacy of Erica Green
Erica Green’s murder shocked and saddened the nation, and sparked a movement to prevent child abuse and to identify missing and unidentified children. Erica’s case also highlighted the need for better communication and coordination among law enforcement agencies, child welfare services, and the public. Erica’s case inspired several initiatives, such as the Erica Green Foundation, which provides support and resources for abused and neglected children, and the Erica Green Memorial Park, which was built near the site where her body was found. Erica’s case also led to the creation of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Precious Doe Network, which helps identify and locate missing and unidentified children across the country.
Erica Green was buried on May 14, 2005, at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri. Her funeral was attended by hundreds of people, including her biological father, Larry Green, her grandfather, and other relatives, as well as members of the community who had cared for her and searched for her identity. Erica’s grave is marked by a headstone that reads: “Erica Michelle Marie Green. Precious Doe. May 15, 1997 – April 28, 2001. Beloved Daughter, Sister, Granddaughter, Niece, Cousin and Friend. You are our angel. We love you and miss you.”
Erica Green was a beautiful and innocent child who deserved a better life and a better death. She was a victim of unimaginable cruelty and violence, but she was also a symbol of hope and compassion. She touched the hearts of millions of people, who never gave up on finding out who she was and bringing her killers to justice. Erica Green’s story is a reminder of the preciousness of every child, and the responsibility of every adult to protect them from harm. Erica Green’s story is also a testament to the power of love and community, and the resilience of the human spirit. Erica Green may be gone, but she will never be forgotten. She will always be Precious Doe.
