Ohio Children, Ages 7, 6 and 4, Discovered All Weighing Less Than 30 Pounds; Mother, Great-Grandmother Accused of Starving Them

A woman in Ohio and her grandmother have been arrested after three children under the age of 7 were reportedly hospitalized due to severe malnutrition, according to authorities.

Police were initially called to a residence in Cincinnati after someone reported a foul odor coming from a home, WXIX-TV reported.

Once at the residence, officers were told the smell was just a dead raccoon under the porch, officials said.

Police reportedly didn’t see any of the children while they were at the call.

After officers left, 26-year-old Hannah Johnson reportedly drove her three children, ages 7, 6 and 4 years old, to her mother’s house in Tennessee.

The mother noticed the condition her grandchildren were in and reportedly took them to the hospital for treatment, WXIX-TV reported.

Authorities said all three of the children weighed less than 30 pounds and will require months of hospitalization.

Hannah Johnson and the children’s great-grandmother, 72-year-old Dianna Johnson, were indicted in connection with the case. Hannah was charged with six counts of endangering children and three counts of kidnapping. Dianna was charged with three counts of endangering children, officials said.

Never miss a story — sign up for the Front Page Detectives newsletter. Be on the scene the moment news breaks.

Both women were booked into the Hamilton County Detention Center. Hannah Johnson’s bond was set at $25,000, and Dianna Johnson is still waiting to be arraigned.

The investigation is still ongoing, officials said.