GUILTY FL - Betsey Stephens, 3 wks, starved to death, Lakeland, 23 Dec 2014

[JusticeWillBeServed]

1st-degree murder trial begins for parent of starved 22-day-old baby taken to Lakeland hospital

http://www.theledger.com/news/20171129/1st-degree-murder-trial-begins-for-parent-of-starved-22-day-old-baby-taken-to-lakeland-hospital

Lawyers for the state and for Stephens gave their opening statements to the jury Wednesday. Stephens, 51, is facing first-degree murder charges in the starvation death of his wife’s 22-day-old daughter in December 2014. His wife, Ruby Stephens, 26, also is charged with first-degree murder.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

http://www.theledger.com/news/20171206/husband-convicted-of-1st-degree-murder-in-starving-death-of-infant-taken-to-lakeland-hospital

A 12-member jury deliberated less than an hour Wednesday before convicting Roy Stephens of first-degree murder in the starvation death of his wife’s 22-day-old daughter three years ago.

Stephens, 51, automatically was sentenced to life imprisonment, since prosecutors weren’t seeking the death penalty.

http://www.newschief.com/news/20171206/husband-convicted-of-1st-degree-murder-in-starving-death-of-infant-taken-to-lakeland-hospital

Ruby Stephens, 26, also faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse, and faces mandatory life imprisonment if convicted. No trial date has been set in her case.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Woman pleads guilty, gets life in starving death of newborn daughter

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20180125/state-news-woman-pleads-guilty-gets-life-in-starving-death-of-newborn-daughter

Ruby Stephens, whose husband was convicted by a jury last month for the December 2014 starvation death of their newborn daughter, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Thursday for her involvement in the child’s death.

Stephens, 26, was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, in accordance with her plea deal.

State Attorney Brian Haas said Thursday he was pleased with the outcome of the case.

“I will never understand why this woman did this to her precious baby,” he said. “Life in prison, without the possibility of parole, is an appropriate sentence for her. We refused to accept any less.”