DEARBORN, Mich. – The parents of a Dearborn toddler who wandered out of her house and drowned in a neighbor's pool last summer were supposed to be in court Friday.
James Johnson, the girl's father, showed up, but his wife, who was about to be sentenced, was absent.
Amber and James Johnson were sleeping June 3, 2016, when two small children wandered out of their home on Boldt Street in Dearborn, police said.
"I wasn't up to take care of my children, and ultimately hurt one of my children, and I'm at fault for that," James Johnson said.
James Johnson pleaded guilty Friday to manslaughter and two counts of child abuse, saying it was his fault his children got out of the house.
James Jackson said the children got out of the house without their parents' knowledge one week before the incident.
Neighbors said on June 3, 2016, they had seen the children -- ages 2 and 3 -- wandering the streets.
Two-year-old Monica fell into a neighbor's pool and was found unresponsive. She died the next day.
After accepting James Johnson's guilty plea, the judge was ready to sentence his wife on a second-degree child abuse charge, but Amber Johnson wasn't in court.
"Miss Johnson was supposed to appear for sentencing, but it is now 12:06 (p.m.) and she was supposed to be here at 9 a.m.," the judge said.
Amber Johnson was texting with her stepfather, who was in court.
"She has texted him that she doesn't want to go to jail, and they saw fit to leave," the judge said. "OK, we'll issue a warrant for her arrest."
Amber Johnson told Local 4 Friday that she didn't want to comment on the case.
James Johnson will be sentenced Feb. 24.