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Left inset: Megan Fredrick (KXTV/YouTube). Right inset: Sherwood Johnson (KXLY/YouTube). Background: The neighborhood in California where Megan Fredrick and Sherwood Johnson were allegedly caring for a developmentally disabled juvenile who they are accused of killing (Google Maps).
In a deeply troubling case out of California, a couple stands accused of neglecting a young girl with developmental disabilities, leading to her tragic death. Authorities allege that Megan Fredrick, 33, and Sherwood Johnson II, 37, both residents of Live Oak, failed to provide the essential care and nutrition required by the girl, who was dependent on a feeding tube and needed constant supervision.
The Sutter County Sheriff’s Office, in an official statement, revealed that the couple, acting as the primary caregivers, ceased the necessary care for the 14-year-old around January 2025. This neglect, according to investigators and a coroner’s report, resulted in the girl dying from starvation and neglect, with her death being classified as a homicide.
Authorities responded to a distress call on Rachel Street in Live Oak, the couple’s residence, in January 2025. The emergency call was made after it was discovered that the young victim was unresponsive, prompting immediate action from sheriff’s deputies and medical personnel.
The heart-wrenching details disclosed by the sheriff’s office underline the severe level of neglect, as the girl, due to her condition, required continuous care and was entirely reliant on a feeding tube for her nutrition. This case highlights the dire consequences of neglect and the critical importance of providing adequate care for those with special needs.
Sheriff’s deputies and medical personnel were dispatched to the 9000 block of Rachel Street in Live Oak, where the couple lived, for a medical aid call in January 2025 after receiving a report about the victim being unresponsive.
“Lifesaving measures were attempted,” the sheriff’s office says. “However, the juvenile was ultimately pronounced deceased. Due to the suspicious nature of the circumstances, detectives responded to investigate.”
During the course of the investigation, authorities found evidence that led to arrest warrants being obtained for both Fredrick and Johnson. The couple allegedly fled to Washington state and were located with the assistance of the Spokane County Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement & Narcotics (RAVEN) Task Force, according to a press release sent out by the RAVEN team.
“Johnson and Fredrick were both wanted on a nationwide extradition,” the release says, noting how they were both living in Washington’s Liberty Lake area after relocating from California.
“On April 16, 2026, RAVEN Task Force members conducting surveillance located Fredrick at a residence in the 24000 block of E. Mission Avenue,” the release explains. “They also located Johnson at a business in the 23200 block of E. Appleway Avenue.”
Sutter County sheriff’s detectives were in transit to Spokane, Washington, on Monday to transport Fredrick and Johnson back to California to face charges of murder and child abuse causing death, according to SCSO officials.
“The death of a child is always tragic, and our hearts go out to the young victim in this case,” said Sutter County Sheriff Brandon Barnes in a statement. “Our staff assigned to Live Oak handled this case with professionalism and compassion. I am glad to see those responsible are in custody and will be held to answer on these charges.”