Man who whipped stepchildren with extension cord hears fate
Share this @internewscast.com

Lerenzo Legardy (Dona Ana County Jail).

A man from New Mexico, who whipped his teenage stepchildren with an extension cord after catching them playing with his Alexa device, is now facing a prison sentence.

Lerenzo Legardy, aged 53, was sentenced on Thursday to three years in prison followed by two years of probation, as reported by local Fox affiliate KFOX. In May, a jury found Legardy guilty of third-degree child abuse, according to a statement from the Doña Ana County District Attorney”s Office website.

The incident resulted in the children having bleeding welts on their arms and legs. Despite the court’s decision not to allow the victims to testify, prosecutors still managed to secure a conviction.

But their older brother did take the stand and his “courageous” account helped lead to a conviction and “deliver justice on behalf of his younger siblings,” prosecutors said.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

Jurors took just 20 minutes to come back with a guilty verdict.

“Our office is committed to ensuring justice be done and letting a victim’s voice be heard even when they themselves cannot speak,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Spencer Willson said in a statement.

Legardy’s wife Yvonne Legardy was also facing child abuse charges but her cases were dismissed, according to court records. As Law&Crime previously reported, she was arrested twice in one week in July 2024 for abuse of a child.

According to a report from KFOX, the initial incident took place on May 31, 2024. A probable cause affidavit obtained by the station states that Yvonne Legardy’s 14-year-old son fled from his home and went to the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library seeking assistance. The boy reportedly claimed that his mother had beaten him with the handle of a blue metal mop.

More from Law&Crime: ‘Maybe they won’t remember’: Mother gets 20 years – most under house arrest – for abusing her 18-month-old children

Officers with the Las Cruces Police Department responded to the scene and spoke to the boy, who claimed that his bother beat him for failing to “properly” clean up their backyard. Police said the child had visible injuries which included welts on his body that appeared to match the diameter of the mop handle.

Police then went to the Legardy home in the 1700 block of Webster Avenue where she claimed her son lied about their violent encounter. Instead, Yvonne Legardy reportedly told police that she was attempting to search her son for “contraband” when he suddenly ran off. However, officers at the home also said they observed a blue metal mop in the garage that was visibly damaged in a manner consistent with the beating described by the child.

As investigators were looking into the initial allegations levied against her, they reportedly learned about a disturbing incident that began with her discovering a single vaping device and ultimately ended with her pepper-spraying several of her children.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Emergency Hearing Scheduled to Address Alleged Violations by Trump Administration

President Donald Trump speaks before Steve Witkoff is sworn as special envoy…

Urgent Search Underway: 6-Year-Old Darius Disappears During Family Camping Trip

Today, Nancy Grace welcomes a special guest to her program. Caryn Stark…

Assault Suspect Claims Misunderstanding of Gun Laws in Bizarre Defense Strategy

In a dramatic turn of events unfolding in Florida, a 76-year-old man…

Truck Driver Faces Charges for Multiple Accidents, Resulting in One Fatality

Left inset: John McAdams (Limestone County Jail). Right inset: William Hardrick (Miami…

Unbelievable Jailhouse Romance: Man’s Bold Scheme to Reunite with Girlfriend Behind Bars

Inset left: Aaron Oldham (Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office). Inset right: Christine Hillier…

Mother Accused of Fatally Assaulting Child Over Contact Lenses, Authorities Report

Background: Lanaya Cardwell is led to a law enforcement vehicle by authorities…

Woman Involved in Shocking Hatchet Attack: Victim Suffered 80 Wounds

Background: The Days Inn on Central Avenue in Albuquerque, New Mexico (KRQE/YouTube).…

Shocking CCTV Footage: Beauty Queen Suspect Caught Stalking First Victim with Chilling Threats

In the days leading up to her disappearance, Kada Scott confided in…

Family Shares Emotional Struggles of Melbourne Stabbing Survivor Afraid to Go Out in Public

The family of a woman who was reportedly stabbed in an unprovoked…

Supreme Court Faces Limited Options as Trump Challenges Judicial Authority

Left: Donald Trump speaks at the annual Road to Majority conference in…

Gainesville Dispute Escalates: Woman Arrested for Hurling Bricks After Hose Incident

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Andrea Lavon Watson, aged 45, found herself…

Florida Resident Allegedly Shoots Woman Following Verbal Dispute, Authorities Report

Inset: Michael Phillips (Lake County Jail). Background: Home in Grand Island, Florida,…