The 38-year-old woman was sentenced to 30 years in prison for beating a family friend’s 15-month-old baby to death last year. Investigators asked her about the child’s bruising and she reportedly told them that the marks were the result of live saving measures she performed on the child. She later told them that she allegedly left the child unattended in the bath for up to two hours. But, an autopsy revealed that the child’s death was a homicide caused by blunt-force injuries that were found to be non-accidental and inflicted by another person.
The 38-year-old woman from North Dakota, Brandi Adeleke, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for murdering 15-month-old Meka Ducheneaux, according to reports. Back in September, the 38-year-old woman pleaded guilty to one felony count each of murder and child abuse. The defendant will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years.
The child’s aunt and caregiver, Amanda Carrillo, said that she would never forgive herself for asking Adeleke to look after the child overnight.
“I feel pain anytime I walk through the door because there’s something missing. I feel pain when I hear my kids laugh because her laughter is missing.” she said.
On Nov. 20, 2020, the 38-year-old defendant called 911 and told the dispatcher that the 15-month-old baby was having trouble breathing.
The responding officers said that the toddler appeared blue and had a weak pulse. The baby was taken to a hospital in critical condition. She was taken off life support on Nov. 24 and pronounced dead.
Investigators asked Adeleke about the child’s bruising and she reportedly told them that the marks were the result of live saving measures she performed on the child. She later told them that she allegedly left the child unattended in the bath for up to two hours. And, during that time, the child went underwater and was fully submerged for an unknown amount of time.
But, an autopsy revealed that the child’s death was a homicide caused by blunt-force injuries that were found to be non-accidental and inflicted by another person. Prosecutors said the baby was covered in bruises from head to toe.
During the sentencing, the defendant reportedly said she didn’t mean for this to happen. “I’m just sorry,” she said. This story will be updated as new information become available.