Steven E. Dragisich, Prosecuting Attorney of Hancock County, West Virginia,
advises the press that:
On March 21, 2023, Michael Scott Johnston, who was born on June 9, 1985 and is
from Wellsburg, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to the felony offense of “Gross
Neglect of a Child Creating Substantial Risk of Death or Serious Bodily Injury” in
Case No. 22-F-25.
On December 4, 2023, Heather Renee Johnston, who was born on November 17,
1983 and is from Weirton, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to the felony offenses of
“Gross Neglect of a Child Creating Substantial Risk of Death or Serious Bodily
Injury” and “Child Neglect Resulting in Death” in Case No. 22-F-24.
Steven E. Dragisich, Prosecuting Attorney of Hancock County, and Herman D.
Lantz, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of Hancock County, represented the State in
these matters. Attorneys John M. Jurco and Michael B. Baum represented Ms.
Johnson and Attorney Don A. Humberson represented Mr. Johnston. The Honorable
Jason A. Cuomo presided over the case.
The criminal charges against the Defendants resulted from the diligent and thorough
work completed by the Weirton Police Department and the Weirton Fire Department
including, but not limited to, Detective Randy Kernen, Detective Brian Beatty, and
Lt. Mikel Serafine.
On January 12, 2023, Michael Johnston was sentenced to the maximum of 1 to 5
years in the West Virginia Division of Corrections for “Gross Neglect of a Child
Creating Substantial Risk of Death or Serious Bodily Injury.”
On January 12, 2023, Heather Johnston was sentenced to the maximum of 3 to 15
years for “Child Neglect Resulting in Death” and was sentenced to the maximum of
1 to 5 years for “Gross Neglect of a Child Creating Substantial Risk of Death or
Serious Bodily Injury.” Ms. Johnston will serve these sentences consecutively for a
total cumulative sentence of 4 to 20 years in the West Virginia Division of Corrections