The Beheading of 'Precious Doe'

Precious Doe - The Beheading of 'Precious Doe' http://crime.about.com/od/news/a/precious_doe.htm On April 28, 2001, the nude, decapitated body of 3-year-old girl was found near an intersection in Kansas City, Missouri. Two days later her head, which had been removed with hedge clippers, was found nearby in a plastic garbage bag. Precious Doe Erica Michelle Maria Green Kansas City sketches drawings precious_doe The Beheading of 'Precious Doe' Girl Unidentified for 4 Years Precious Doe On April 28, 2001, the nude, decapitated body of 3-year-old girl was found near an intersection in Kansas City, Missouri. Two days later her head, which had been removed with hedge clippers, was found nearby in a plastic garbage bag. It would be more than four years before the girl, given the name "Precious Doe" by police, would be identified as Erica Michelle Maria Green.

Sketches, computer drawings and busts of the child were distributed nationwide and on several television crime programs before a relative came forward and identified the victim on May 5, 2005.

Latest Developments

Man Gets Life for 'Precious Doe' Killing
Nov. 20, 2008
A man convicted of killing and beheading a 3-year-old girl, who was known only as "Precious Doe" for almost four years while authorities tried to identify her, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Harold Johnson was sentenced to life for the 2001 murder of Erica Green.

Previous Developments

Man Convicted of 'Precious Doe' Murder
Oct. 9, 2008
A Kansas City jury deliberated for about three hours before returning a guilty verdict in the first-degree murder trial in the "Precious Doe" case. Harrell Johnson, 29, was charged with the death and the decapitation of three-year-old Erica Green, the daughter of his then girlfriend who he married a year later.

Precious Doe's Mom Testifies Against Husband
October 8, 2008
The mother of the 3-year-old girl, who was known as "Precious Doe" as her headless body went unidentified for almost four years, testified this week in the murder trial of her husband. Michelle Johnson told the jury that Harrell Johnson was on drugs when kicked her daughter in the head and the child dropped to the floor unconscious.

Mother, Stepfather Changed in 'Precious Doe' Case
May 5, 2005
'Precious Doe,' a three-year-old girl whose decapitated body was found near a road April 28, 2001 now has a name -- Erica Michelle Marie Green -- and her mother and stepfather have been charged with her murder.

Photos - Missing Persons http://crime.about.com/od/missing/ig/Missing-Persons/index.htm Teaching Children Skills to Prevent Abduction http://crime.about.com/od/missing/qt/pr_abducttips.htm Missing Children and Adults http://crime.about.com/od/missing/Missing_Children_and_Adults.htm