SPARKS, Nev. (KOLO/Gray News) – A Nevada mother says she wants justice after her child died while he was being watched by his step-grandmother.
Gabryelle Johnson said on April 11, 2024, her 2-year-old son Chandler was being watched by Darla McDermott.
According to authorities, McDermott said she left the boy on the arm of the couch that day so he could look out the window to watch construction workers, as the toddler was obsessed with big trucks.
However, she went to use the bathroom and by the time she returned, she said he was gone.
“You don’t ever expect to hear; ‘I’m sorry, your son is deceased,’” Johnson said.
Months later, she said she finds herself still dreaming of her child growing up.
“I wanted us to have all these great memories. Little did I know my son was going to pass,” she said.
First responders tried life-saving measures that day, but Chandler did not survive the fall.
“I immediately dropped to my knees and started screaming and crying,” Johnson said.
Sparks police have not filed any charges against McDermott, citing what happened appears to be an accident.
“I’ll never forget that day,” McDermott said. “I have nightmares all the time. I looked down, and he was lying on the concrete.”
But Johnson and her mother, Sheri McDaniel, have criticized the decision by authorities to not file any charges. They are also questioning whether a full investigation was done.
“I don’t understand how someone gets away with killing a child,” McDaniel said. “She [McDermott] was the adult in the apartment. She’s the one that left him alone with the window wide open. He wouldn’t be dead if she hadn’t done what she did.”
The boy’s family says they have now hired a lawyer to further check on the case.
“You have to be accountable for the things you’ve done and be accountable for the pain you caused my family because you couldn’t shut your window, and you couldn’t make him safe,” McDaniel said.
Family members say Chandler was “the most unselfish child” and always wanted to learn and loved to be outside.
“He was so happy … now his bed just sits empty,” McDaniel said.
Sparks police said there are currently no pending charges in the case.
Copyright 2025 KOLO via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.