The final image of a 4-year-old boy who suffered unspeakable torment before his untimely death was too haunting to be erased by the sobs of a filthy child abuser in court.
On Wednesday, a judge sentenced 48-year-old Crystal Stephens to life in prison without the chance of parole for the brutal 2018 murder of her ex-boyfriend’s son, Brandon Steckler Jr., despite her tears.
The nonverbal autistic youngster was discovered dead in a Las Vegas residence, suffering from methamphetamine, infections, pneumonia, burns, bruising, malnourishment, and 27 rib fractures.
According to prosecutors in Clark County, his injuries were so serious that doctors had difficulty determining a cause of death.
Christopher Hamner, the chief deputy district attorney, stated, “We’ve had a number of these cases before this.” “This may be the most horrific child murder I’ve ever witnessed.”
Stephens entered a guilty plea in February to charges of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping with serious bodily damage, and child abuse.
