Crystal Stephens gets life in prison for a 4-year-old homicide in 2018
Crystal Stephens was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2018 crime against Brandon Steckler Jr, a four-year-old autistic boy, in Las Vegas.
Crystal Stephens received a life sentence without the option of parole after being convicted of killing Brandon Steckler Jr., a four-year-old autistic child. The crime took place in Las Vegas in July 2018 and is considered by authorities one of the most severe child homicide cases recorded in the area.
The sentence was issued by Michelle Leavitt, judge of the Clark County District Court, following Stephens’s acceptance of a plea deal to avoid the death penalty. The case drew significant attention due to the gravity of the incident and the condition in which the child was discovered.
What were the circumstances of the Crystal Stephens' crime?
Stephens accepted the charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping with grievous bodily harm, and child abuse. Investigations showed the child had 27 fractured ribs, a lacerated liver, a collapsed lung, a broken collarbone, and possible rat bites. In addition, Steckler had methamphetamine in his body and was suffering from malnutrition, sepsis, and pneumonia at the time of his death, CBS affiliate KLAS reported, citing prosecutors.
On July 30, 2018, the child was found unconscious and tortured in Stephens' home and died the following day in the hospital. Initially, the defendant maintained that the child had drowned, but forensic evidence revealed an extensive record of physical abuse.
ALSO SEE: California authorities identify suspect in fertility clinic car bombing: Guy Bartkus died instantly.
A crime scene that explains the big impact for the authorities. (Photo: AFP News)
"The worst child homicide" according to the authorities
At trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hamner called the case “the worst child homicide” he had witnessed in his judicial career. Medical and forensic evaluations revealed a devastating picture of the pain the child experienced prior to his death.
Brandon Steckler Sr., the little boy's father, tearfully recalled his son as a happy child whom he called “Tuku” and “happy feet.” The little boy's grandmother expressed her intense grief in court, stating that the void left by her grandson is “immeasurable” and that she longs for Stephens to face the repercussions of his actions every day of his existence.
