REGIONAL— Sixth District Judge James Florey, on July 9, sentenced Russell Shannon Johnson, of Hibbing, to nine years and nine months in prison, in the wake of his guilty plea in the 2012 death of Caroline Medicine-Chavez. Johnson had pled guilty to a single count of first-degree manslaughter last month as part of an agreement between prosecutors and the defense.

Johnson admitted in court last month that he had pushed two-year-old Caroline into the wall of a Virginia apartment in March 2012. The force of the impact caused an extensive head injury, from which the girl died several hours later.

Johnson’s sentence was the stiffest allowed under Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines. Judge Florey cited Caroline’s age and vulnerability as factors arguing for the stiffest sentence possible. Johnson’s prison term will be reduced by the 316 days he had already served as of his sentencing, and he could be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence.

Johnson was arrested last August after two informants came forward with new information in the case. Johnson had been the only suspect in the child’s death, but prosecutors lacked sufficient information to make their case until the informants came forward, initially contacting the family of the young girl through the Facebook page, Justice for Caroline.

Members of Caroline’s family spoke of the impact that Caroline’s death had on the family.

For his part, Johnson expressed remorse for his actions, and apologized for the pain he had caused Caroline’s family.

St. Louis County deputy prosecutor Michelle Anderson said it was a good result in a difficult case. She said the alternative to a plea agreement was a long and potentially painful trial for the family, with an always uncertain outcome. “I think the factual basis supported the first degree manslaughter charge,” said Johnson. “It’s likely where we would have ended up after a long and difficult trial.”