This is what CPS/DHS did to protect Aja!
Family of missing Geronimo girl waits
Relatives, friends keep eyes and ears open for sightings, news about 7-year-old Aja Johnson
BY RON JACKSON
Published: February 21, 2010
BLANCHARD Aja Johnson was beaten and bruised by her suspected abductor in August, according to a family friend who had sheltered the 7-year-old child and her mother at that time.
Lester William Hobbs, 46, the man wanted in connection with Ajas apparent kidnapping and the slaying of his estranged wife, Tonya LeAnn Hobbs, "just went off on the girl, bruising her "from her butt to the bottom of her knees, said Sissy Miller, 26, of Blanchard.
"That poor child was bruised so badly she couldnt even sit, Miller said. "We took pictures and turned them into DHS. We told school officials, and they reported it, too, but we were just told there was nothing that could be done. Now look whats happened. Aja has been missing since Jan. 24, when relatives found her mother beaten to death inside Lester Hobbs recreational vehicle that was parked outside his sisters trailer home in Geronimo.
Tonya Hobbs, 37, died from blunt force trauma to the body, according to the state medical examiner.
Since then there have been no confirmed sightings of Aja, Lester Hobbs or Tonya Hobbs white 1992 Toyota Paseo (Oklahoma tag 577-BPW), which investigators think might be key to solving the case. The U.S. Marshals office and the FBI have joined the hunt.
"I cant even sleep at night, said Miller, who is taking care of Tonya and Lester Hobbs 13-year-old daughter. "I just keep waiting to hear that little knock at the front door, hoping it will be Aja. I look all the time. Whenever Im driving Im constantly looking, thinking I might see her walking down the street.
Miller said on a recent cold day, Ajas older sister said to her, "I hope Aja has her coat. Its really cold today. I just broke down and started crying.
Roy Anderson, Millers father and next door neighbor, is also grieving. He had known Tonya Hobbs for 15 years and has raised her oldest child, a 15-year-old boy, since he was a baby.
Anderson said he worried about Tonya Hobbs relationship with Lester Hobbs.
"I tolerated him, Anderson said. "Then I saw those bruises on that little girl, and that was it for me. I dont care who you are, you just dont hurt a child.
Department of Human Services spokeswoman Beth Scott said Friday she could "neither confirm nor deny the reports of Ajas bruising.
She cited state law and the agencys requirement to protect victim confidentiality.
J.J. Johnson, Ajas father who gained custody of her in November, continues to have sleepless nights. Through it all, he said he remains positive.
"I just miss her so bad, said Johnson, 60, of Oklahoma City. "Every time the phone rings I think, This could be it. This could be the one.
"I think about the day she comes home all the time. I just picture her walking through that front door with a big smile and hugging her daddy.
Waiting for her
Ajas bedroom remains as it was the day she left with her mother, supposedly for an overnight birthday party. Barbie dolls she played with in the bathtub rest atop a toy chest, her favorite miniature horse sits atop a dresser and a stuffed wiener dog lays on her tiny bed with a inscription stitched on its side: "I love you this much.
A Disney castle toy stove sits against the wall.
"This is where shed turn on the stove and say, Daddy, Im cooking breakfast, Johnson said. "Shes something else. ... I know wherever shes at, shes missing her daddy and wants to come home.
Tonya Hobbs was supposed to have supervised visits only, but Johnson allowed her to take Aja to the party. He never imagined she would instead take Aja and her sister to see Lester Hobbs, who had reportedly threatened to harm Tonya and the girls only months earlier.
In August, Tonya Hobbs filed a request for a protective order in Lincoln County.
She wrote, "My husband has threatened to hit my daughters in the head with a hammer and kill them. He also threatened to kill me if I left him.
The court dismissed the request when neither Tonya nor Lester Hobbs appeared for the hearing.
By January, Lester Hobbs freedom appeared to be in jeopardy. He was ordered to appear in Lincoln County District Court on Jan. 25 on a DUI charge, and his criminal past seemed to be catching up with him. In 2001, state Corrections Department records show, he was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in Cleveland County.
"Lester wanted to see those kids one last time, said Johnson, trying to piece together the tragedy. "For whatever reason, she trusted him, and it cost her her life.
On the night before the discovery of Tonya Hobbs body, she and Lester Hobbs were seen arguing by the older daughter, Miller said.
"(She) told me Lester was yelling at Tonya, Miller said. "He had found the numbers of some guys in her cell phone, and became angry. He even called a few of them, and one turned out to be a cousin.
"She misses Aja a lot, Miller said of the older daughter. "I just tell her, Pray. I truly believe Aja is still alive.
