Woman Guilty In Death Of Boyfriend's Daughter
TUSCUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - A central Missouri woman will be sentenced in December for second-degree murder in the beating death of her boyfriend's 2-year-old daughter.
A Laclede County jury found 23-year-old Cheryl A. Patrick of Miller County guilty Friday of second-degree murder and abuse of a child.
The jury recommended 20-year sentences for each count. Sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 3.
Prosecutors say Patrick beat Alexis Ward to death in February of 2008 while watching her and a 4-year-old.
The child died two days later at a Columbia hospital.
The Lake Sun-Leader reports Patrick at first blamed an accident for the child's injuries and then tried to blame the girl's father before confessing to the crime.
The trial was moved on a change of venue from Miller County to Laclede County.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.