Truancy charge added to neglect allegation

MINDEN - Makeup artist Kandee Johnson, accused of leaving her 12-year-old son alone in Minden while she worked in Los Angeles, appeared in court Wednesday with her lawyer to hear a new allegation.

Johnson, 31, has been charged additionally with contributing to her son's educational neglect from Nov. 20 through Jan. 27 by permitting him to become a habitual truant from Carson Valley Middle School.

Johnson was represented Wednesday by Minden lawyer Chuck Zumpft who asked East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl to set another hearing for Feb. 24.

Johnson was charged earlier with child endangerment, accused of leaving the boy unsupervised in November for one or more days in a house in the Johnson Lane area.

The deputy said the house was "borderline unsanitary" with sinks full of dirty dishes and counters littered with dishes and food. They were about to place the boy with Child Protective Services when he contacted his grandfather who took custody.

Several hours later, according to the report, Johnson contacted the sheriff's office and was informed of the incident and the charge.

Johnson has said she planned to fight the charges.

She told The Record-Courier in January she was mortified people would think she left her son alone. She said a friend was supposed to pick him up and she thought he was at a neighbor's home.