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Mary Noble Johnson: Woman saw daughter kill grandson, 4, but only called police the next day

Monica Figueroa, 43, is facing one count of the capital murder charge for killing her son

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HENDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS: A grandmother has been taken into custody after it was alleged that she witnessed the murder of her grandson at the hands of her daughter. Mary Noble Johnson has reportedly been pressed with one count of abandoning or endangering a child in connection with the killing of four-year-old Grayson Hurt.

She was put behind bars at the Henderson County Jail and her bond is reportedly set at $250,000. Law & Crime reported that the 64-year-old woman waited for a day before informing the cops about the crime, which allegedly involved her daughter Monica Figueroa. The 43-year-old is said to be facing one count of the capital murder charge.

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‘She was afraid that Figueroa had hurt her son’

A statement by Athens TX Police Department said, “At about 6:41 am Monday, March 13, the Athens Police Department received a call for service to Figueroa's residence at 312 Mitchell Street in Athens from Mary Johnson, Figueroa's mother. She told police she was afraid that Figueroa had hurt her son.”

It continued, “When officers arrived at the residence, they located Figueroa. Officers entered the residence with emergency medical personnel and found the deceased child inside the door, partially covered with a blanket.”

‘Figueroa threatened Johnson’

Besides, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse told Nacogdoches CBS affiliate KYTX, “Johnson heard the child screaming before she observed Figueroa cutting at the blanket and then the screaming stopped. Figueroa threatened Johnson and instructed her to leave which she did.” The elderly woman allegedly left her daughter’s house then and came back a day later, on March 13, where she discovered the little one’s remains. She then contacted the Athens Police Department and asked them to come to 312 Mitchell Street in Athens.

‘This is an ongoing investigation’

The police statement noted, “Athens Police Officers then obtained a search warrant signed by 392nd District Judge Scott McKee to search the residence. The Athens Police Department also contacted the Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force to assist in the investigation. “The initial investigation indicates the child was killed with an edged weapon. Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Tony Duncan conducted the inquest and ordered an autopsy be conducted by the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas. 

“In addition to the Athens Police Department and the Crimes Against Children's Task Force, the investigation includes the Henderson County District Attorney's Office, the Texas Rangers, and Child Protective Services. This is an ongoing investigation,” it added.

‘This makes me cry’

Meanwhile, some people have expressed their anger over the inhumane case as a user tweeted, “How low, how repulsive, what an absolute failure as a human being would someone have to be to side with a woman on this? Someone on par with the KKK.” Another user shared, “The courts should show these two the same mercy and care they gave that precious child.”

“Show a better example of why we should have the death penalty,” the third user noted and the fourth one added, “This makes me cry! I can’t understand how someone could stab anyone let alone a four year old child.”

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