Defendant Cassidy Lemmon testifies in child abuse death trial

Jul. 20—Cassidy Renee Lemmon, a foster parent accused of abusing and killing her foster child in 2019, took the stand in her trial today and accounted for the child's injuries by testifying that he was already ill and often hurt himself.

Lemmon's testimony comes at the conclusion ofa nearly two-week long trial that also involved Lemmon's then-partner Vincent Ray Johnson testifying against Lemmon.

Lemmon and Johnson were co-foster parents to Thomas Boyles, who died April 24, 2019 at 16 months old.

According to the affidavit, at 5:47 p.m. April 22, 2019, Lemmon called 911 and said Boyles was unconscious and not breathing, according to the affidavit. When first responders arrived on scene, Lemmon was performing CPR on Boyles on his lower torso that was described by some as "a little deep."

According to the affidavit, forensic pathologist Dr. Meredith Frank determined the boy died as a result of blunt force injuries to the head and trunk. In addition, Frank noted the presence of some healed rib fractures.

Lemmon, who was emotional throughout her testimony, said that Boyles was on the top of a toy box when he fell and hit his head on April 22, 2019 and that he had been sick in the days and weeks leading up to his death.

In cross examination, prosecutors showed multiple images of bruising on Boyle's forehead, face and body in the months leading up to his death as well as text messages in which Lemmons called Boyles, "worse than the devil," and derogatory names.

Lemmon's testified that she wasn't overly concerned with bruising on Boyle's head and body in the months leading up to his death as children bruise easily and he was a clumsy child, but she did sometimes file incident reports to the assigned case workers regarding the bruising.

Lemmon also testified that Boyles already had bruises when she and Johnson first took him into their home.

In regard to the texts, Lemmon also said that "all parents get pissed off" and those words were to friends and she would never say them in front of her child. Lemmon testified that both her and Johnson had spanked Boyles while fostering him and she would tap him on the hands as a form of discipline.

When describing the day of the 911 call, Lemmon described Boyles as having a cough, runny nose, pale and looking really unwell, and said he had thrown up twice after hitting his head.

Throughout her cross examination, prosecutors brought up a number of details that Lemmon testified to and said Lemmon had not previously mentioned them in any interviews with detectives or investigators.

In response, Lemmon said she had not reviewed all the evidence in her case and therefore did not know if she had previously mentioned something prior to coming onto the stand.

When reflecting on the time leading up to Boyle's death, Lemmon said she didn't believe Johnson was abusing Boyles as, "you wouldn't expect your family to be around somebody like that." But Lemmon said that since Boyles' death, she realized she may have been close-minded and that Johnson may have in fact been abusing Boyles.

Johnson was arrested alongside Lemmon in 2019 and faced the same three charges of child abuse resulting in death that Lemmon is currently facing.

Johnson pleaded guilty in October 2021 to child abuse — negligence resulting in death, a Class 3 felony. In addition to testifying against Lemmon, he received a stipulated 12-year prison sentence as part of the plea deal.

When asked about Johnson as a foster parent, Lemmon said that the kids were almost always with her and were very attached to her while Johnson frequently played video games and did not like to be left to take care of Boyles.

Defense rested their case Thursday evening. The jury will hear closing arguments Friday before deliberating.