The biological mother accused of shooting the foster mother of her two children in southwest Miami-Dade was ordered to be detained without bond during a tense court appearance.
Candi Nicole Johnson was rolled while in a wheelchair into the courtroom by Department of Corrections officials on Sunday.
She faces charges of attempted first-degree murder with a deadly weapon, two counts of kidnapping with domestic violence and one count of armed burglary.
Johnson initially sat silently in court, keeping her head down.
During the proceeding, judge Samantha Ruiz Cohen seemed concerned about Johnson's behavior.
"Corrections; do you have an indication – is she medicated? She is not? So she's just looking down because she wants to? ... It's not that she's looking down due to medication, correct?" Ruiz Cohen asked, court video shows.
"She's just refusing communication at this time, judge," a corrections officer said.
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Though 34-year-old Johnson was ordered to be held without bond, Ruiz Cohen – a judge for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida's Family Division – ordered Johnson must stay at least 500 feet away from her children and from 77-year-old foster mother Wendy Edmond in the event she bonds out in the future.
As Ruiz Cohen continued to explain the orders she issued, Johnson lifted her head and broke her silence.
"You're getting to be really aggravating," Johnson said before her public defender shut off her microphone.
"I understand. You just stay completely away from all of the three victim's homes. I'm glad you're looking up and addressing the court. This means you're able to hear me," Ruiz Cohen said. "Stay completely away from all of the victims, and the victim's employment and the school."
Ruiz Cohen also told Johnson that she is prohibited from possessing any weapons in the event she's bonded out.
Though her microphone was silenced, Johnson continued to address the court – at times being faintly heard on other microphones.
"Clearly, she's not medicated since she's looking up and attempting to address the court," Ruiz Cohen said. "I understand that the public defender apparently turned off the microphone. I understand."
The children were placed into the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families after the shooting.
"The horrific attack on this foster mother is unfathomable. We have been in contact with the victim’s family and will continue to provide support as she recovers," DCF said in a statement.
The Miami-Dade Police Department is looking for additional suspects related to the case.
MDPD said a man and woman went to Edmond's home in the Richmond Heights area on Friday and demanded to take the two children. After refusing, Edmond was shot numerous times after a struggle, according to police.
A man and woman fled in a white sedan with two children, a 2-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. Edmond was hospitalized and police said she was in a stable condition.
MDPD said Johnson does not have legal custody of the kids.
