An Ohio woman has been arrested after a dead teenager was found inside a bedroom in her home, which was allegedly there for one month before police discovered the body during a welfare check.
LaRonda Anne Mitchell was arrested and taken into custody on Tuesday, May 5. She was charged with one count each of involuntary manslaughter, abduction, endangering children, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse and a misdemeanor count of failing to report a crime, according to court records viewed by Us Weekly.
The teenage victim was identified as Donnamalay Davis, her father confirmed to WFMJ.
Police discovered the teen’s body after a concerned citizen requested a welfare check after someone at Mitchell’s home allegedly said Davis, 16, “was sick and needed to be healed by God,” according to WKBN. The concerned person added that they heard the teen was already “gone.”
Austintown Police Department officers responded to the residence around 4 p.m. for a welfare check on a teenager, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by WKBN. Upon their arrival, a woman answered the door and was described by authorities as “standoffish.”
Investigators spoke to a 12-year-old in the home, who reportedly said everything was fine. However, officers learned that a bedroom door had been taped shut as they searched the home. Officers then entered the bedroom and discovered the teen’s deceased body.
Someone inside the home told investigators the room had been “sealed” to contain a smell, adding that Davis had been dead for at least one month.
As the investigation continues, authorities learned that the situation was seemingly tied to religious healing. Individuals at the home allegedly told police that Davis’ death “had to happen” so that she could “heal” after becoming sick, per WFMJ.
After Davis’ body was discovered, police took two additional children that lived in the home into custody.
Authorities issued a warrant for Mitchell’s arrest on Monday, May 4, and she was booked into Mahoning County Jail the following day.
Mitchell, 38, appeared for her arraignment hearing via video and the court set her bond at $500,000.
It is not currently clear if Mitchell has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following her arrest. The Austintown Township Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding the case.
The Mahoning County Coroner’s Office has not revealed Davis’ cause or manner of death. Investigators are continuing to work to determine what happened inside of the home prior to her passing.
Mitchell, who is still in custody, is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on May 27.
