Woman says she reported alleged abuse three months before her infant’s death

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – We’ve been keeping you updated on the investigation into the death of a 20-month-old boy, and now neighbors are wondering if more should have been done to prevent the toddler’s death.

Nearly a week has passed since the heartbreaking discovery of 20-month-old Joshua Bowen’s body in an apartment at the Lakeside Manor Apartments in Lexington.

Constantina Day, who lives at Lakeside Manor Apartments, says she has been filing complaints about the alleged abuse since March: “I know if they had taken action sooner, the baby would still be here.”

Bowen’s mother, 27-year-old Brianna Johnson, is charged with first-degree criminal abuse, and 22-year-old Kyle Guindon is charged with first-degree criminal abuse and first-degree assault (domestic violence). Both are being held on $250,000 bail.

Day was able to show us a case number she received on July 4th.

“The first time was when I called about child abuse. They came, they talked to them, they left. The second time they came a month later,” Day said. “The third time they came on the Fourth of July and then they came two days later and found the baby.”

Day also called her property manager in March, sent him an email about the alleged abuse and showed us that email.

“Because of my complaints, I couldn’t even email them, but they told me to because they needed it in writing and that was the best way to do it. But after you do that, you get blocked? Did they not want to deal with it? Did they not care?” Day asked.

In one of our LEX-18 Facebook posts, others also said they had reported concerns about the baby’s safety to CPS.

“They promote the rule of ‘If you see something, say something’ and ‘If you hear something, say something.’ And then when you all get a report, really follow it up. Do a thorough investigation. Not everyone is here spreading rumors to cause a ruckus,” Day said.

Day stresses that when there are multiple reports, citizens and officials need to be aware that something is going on and that the matter needs to be taken seriously.

LEX 18 has reached out to Lexington police and Lakeside Manor Apartments for comment on any complaints that may have been filed, but neither has responded.

LEX 18 also contacted the Department for Community-Based Services, who stated: