A Las Vegas woman received a life sentence for torturing and killing a 4-year-old autistic boy.
On Wednesday, Clark County District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt handed down a life sentence without parole to 48-year-old Crystal Stephens. Earlier this year, in February, Stephens agreed to a plea deal on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping resulting in substantial bodily harm, and child abuse, which spared her the death penalty.
“This might be the worst child homicide I’ve ever had,” prosecutor Chris Hamner said Wednesday, according to 8 News Now.
Stephens was responsible for the death of Brandon Steckler Jr. in 2018. At the time of his passing, Clark County prosecutors revealed that his body was covered with numerous bruises and burns, and he had 27 fractured ribs. Additionally, he suffered from malnutrition, sepsis, pneumonia, and tested positive for methamphetamine.
“I hope she feels in every moment the consequences of what she’s done because we feel them in every heartbeat,” Brandon’s grandmother, Synthia Mosley, expressed to the court. “The hole his absence has left behind is as immeasurable as the love he gave so freely.”
Brandon’s mother, who lived at a shelter, had asked Stephens to care for her son. Three weeks later, Stephens killed him.
After her arrest, investigators found drug residue and paraphernalia in Stephens’ home, court documents revealed. Stephens reportedly told police that Brandon had drowned.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Stephens told Judge Leavitt that she took full responsibility for her actions and was committed to maintaining her mental health and sobriety, the Review-Journal reports.
“I’m terribly sorry for my horrific actions,” Stephens said.
