Grand Junction woman accused of beating toddler to death

Prosecutors have charged a Grand Junction woman accused of beating her 3-year-old niece to death.

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reports 29-year-old Shanna Lorane Gossett is facing charges of first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death, second-degree kidnapping and false imprisonment.

Prosecutors say the alleged crimes happened between March 1 and March 17, but details surrounding the death of Bethannie Johnson are largely unknown because the arrest warrant remains sealed.

Gossett, who was Bethannie’s legal guardian, was arrested March 17, several hours after police were called to a home and found the girl unconscious and not breathing.

The Mesa County coroner’s office determined the toddler died of multiple blunt-force injuries and ruled her death a homicide.

Booking documents do not indicate if Gossett has hired an attorney.