Today, November 20th, Shirley L. Sawyer-Johnson, 41, Lake Charles pled
guilty to Manslaughter during her ongoing trial.
In January of 2025, Sawyer-Johnson fatally beat a three-month-old infant
that was under her supervision.
Sentencing for Sawyer-Johnson will be held January 13, 2026 before Judge
Michael Canaday. Sawyer-Johnson is being held without bond and is facing a sentencing range of 10-40 years in prison without the benefit of probation or suspension of sentence.
Chief of Litigation Charles Robinson and Assistant District Attorney
David Guidry prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office.