Update: Candice Lampley Among Two Busted in Death of Her 23-Month-Old

Update: Moments ago, the Denver Police Department announced two arrests in the death of 23-month-old Jayvion Johnson.

See our previous coverage below.

The people in custody are Candice Lampley, Jayvion's mother, and Delonta Crank.

Two people — Candice's boyfriend and brother — are said to have taken Jayvion to St. Joseph's Hospital yesterday morning. Candice's Facebook status is listed as single, but Crank is among her Facebook friends.

On Facebook, he's known as "Delonta O'tay Crank." His photo gallery includes numerous photos of children, plus portraits like this one....


...and this one:


As for Candice, her Facebook photos are filled with many photos of her four kids.

Here's one she shared of Jayvion:


Also on view are many portraits.

Here's another one of her:


Candice was reportedly at work when her boyfriend and brother took Jayvion to St. Joe's.

According to the Denver Police Department, Lampley and Crank are being held on suspicion of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, pending the results of the boy's autopsy.

A media availability has been announced for 10:30 a.m. today outside DPD headquarters at 1331 Cherokee.

In the meantime, the department has shared booking photos of the two suspects. They're below, followed by our previous coverage.


Original post, 6:05 a.m.: Right now, the biggest story in Denver involves the sad death of a 23-month-old toddler.

Jayvion Johnson is portrayed by family and friends as an adorable, friendly and lovable child.

But the boy died yesterday morning at St. Joseph's Hospital — and his grandfather, Earl Lampley, says he's seen photos showing the boy with severe burns on the lower part of his body.

No arrests have been made, but a criminal investigation is underway.

First official word of the incident came via this Denver Police Department tweet....

ALERT (1/2): #DPD responding to local hospital on report of a 23 month old male child who was transported by a private party & pronounced.

— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) July 8, 2015

...and a followup:

ALERT (2/2): Investigation lead #DPD to 1700 block of Franklin. Officers now conducting a death investigation. Updates posted as recieved.

— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) July 8, 2015

The child was Jayvion Johnson, a willing camera subject judging by the number of family photos that have surfaced thus far. Here's one example....


...and another....


...and this shot from the Facebook page of his mother, Candice Lampley:

Candice, the mother of three other children, was at work at around 8:30 a.m. yesterday morning, July 8, when her boyfriend (not Jayvion's father) and brother took Jayvion to St. Joe's.

The boy was pronounced dead at the facility, and Earl Lampley says he had "serious burns on his legs, in between his thighs, on his genitals and bottom," CBS4 points out.

As for the men who transported the boy to the hospital, they didn't stick around.

The DPD responded with this tweet about the vehicle they'd been driving.

PLS SHARE: #DPD looking for 2003 Nissan 4-door sedan, CO plate 155-QIQ in connection to death of 23MO child. Call 911 if you see it! #Denver

— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) July 8, 2015

The car was found a short time later and the DPD tweeted that Candice's other kids are safe. At present, they're in child protective custody.

From the beginning, the interest in the case was high, prompting the police department to hold a press conference near the 1705 Franklin home where the family lives.


At this point, no arrests have been made nor any suspects publicly identified. But Jayvion's loved ones are understandably bereft.

A slew of them spoke to the media at Denver police headquarters, and a vigil took place last night.

These events are captured in the following videos, from CBS4 and Fox31 respectively.

In the meantime, our sincere condolences to the friends, family and loved ones of Jayvion Johnson.


Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.