Tacoma mom gets 14 years in killing of toddler
TACOMA, Wash. - A 22-year-old Tacoma mother who admitted to killing her toddler has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Melani Lotu was sentenced in Pierce County Superior Court on Friday.
She had pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder in the September 2008 death of her 13-month-old son, Lorenzo. He died of acute head trauma.
Court records show that relatives told police that Lotu flew into a rage and beat him severely that September after the boy vomited on her, according to a report in the Tacoma News Tribune.
Relatives later took him to the hospital, but he died.
Relatives also told police Lotu had been beating the boy for weeks. At one point they say they took the boy away from her out of fear for his safety, according to court filings.
Prosecutors first charged Lotu with homicide by abuse, which carries a 20-year-sentence, but later decided they couldn't prove that charge.
Melani Lotu was sentenced in Pierce County Superior Court on Friday.
She had pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder in the September 2008 death of her 13-month-old son, Lorenzo. He died of acute head trauma.
Court records show that relatives told police that Lotu flew into a rage and beat him severely that September after the boy vomited on her, according to a report in the Tacoma News Tribune.
Relatives later took him to the hospital, but he died.
Relatives also told police Lotu had been beating the boy for weeks. At one point they say they took the boy away from her out of fear for his safety, according to court filings.
Prosecutors first charged Lotu with homicide by abuse, which carries a 20-year-sentence, but later decided they couldn't prove that charge.