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Last updated on Thursday, January 1, 2015
(UNDATED) - The month of May saw crimes against children punished.
24-year-old Jamie Lykins of Salem entered a blind guilty plea on felony charges of battery and neglect of a dependent resulting in the death of 8-month-old Leelan Crain.
He was sentenced in July by Judge Larry Medlock to serve 50 years for battery and 40 years for neglect in the death saying the crime was a deliberate act of rage against the child.
The baby's mother, Casey Crain of Salem, is also facing a felony charge of neglect of a dependent resulting in death. She is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 19, 2015 for a pretrial conference.
Salem police say Lykins beat the child to death at the couple's home on Ridgeview Drive in Salem. Friends of the couple talked them into seeking treatment for Leelan after he was found bruised, not breathing well and semi-conscious.
He was taken to St. Vincent Salem Hospital on Saturday, Sept. 8th, 2013. He was then transported by helicopter to Kosiar Children's Hospital where he died. According to an autopsy report, Leelan died from blunt force trauma to the head and had various levels of bruising and other signs of abuse.
Pathologist and Kentucky Medical Examiner Jeffrey Springer testified and showed photos of the baby's injuries.
The photos showed visible bruises on the ears, head and face, along with abrasions and scrapes along the jawline. There were more abrasions and bruising on the throat and chest, along with scratches on his scalp and more scratches on his right shoulder blade - all the result of being struck.
Along with the external injuries, there was also bleeding on the brain. Surgery was performed to try and save Leelan, but he died at the hospital.
Springer testified that Leelan suffered at least 12 impacts to the head area and at least seven to the torso.
Along with injuries to the head and upper torso, Springer showed injuries around Leelan's genitals, some of which he said could possibly be attributed to diaper rash, but some Springer appeared to be deliberate. They was a laceration of the anus from some sort of trauma.
Crain told police that Lykins was angry that Leelan was crying.
Mother Sentenced For Child Abuse
The mother of a little boy who failed to get medical care for him after he was allegedly abused by her then-boyfriend has been sentenced to prison.
27-year-old Rose McNeely of Salem entered a blind plea on a C felony charge of neglect of a dependent. She was sentenced to four years, two suspended, followed by probation at the conclusion of a lengthy and dramatic sentencing hearing.
This case involves three arrests and was highly unusual in that text messages led to the arrest of one of them. Nicole Carol Mann, ex-wife of 30-year-old Kilijah Mann, who is accused of hurting McNeely's child, entered a plea agreement and was sentenced to 180 days with 164 suspended, plus 164 days probation, for failing to report the suspected abuse.
Judge Larry Medlock referenced the conversations between the Manns.
"I look at the text messages. Kilijah Mann to Nicole Mann: 'I have hurt him today, too. ... I know I smacked him so hard it knocked him out.' From Nicole to Kilijah: 'Do you remember calling me last night in tears because you thought you killed him? This is serious, Kilijah. Is your relationship with her really worth spending the rest of your life in prison? I wish you would see that you hate that kid and that isn't going to change.'"
Regarding the photos of the toddler which were admitted into evidence, Medlock said, "It would seem to me it's obvious something's going on more than inadvertent falls and tickling." Prior to her arrest McNeely told authorities the bruises on her baby were a result of Kilijah Mann "tickling him with his mouth." The little boy was finally taken for medical care after police were alerted. McNeely admitted to police that her son's eyes were so swollen he couldn't see and she had to lead him around the house.
Medlock sentenced McNeely to four years with two years suspended in the Indiana Department of Correction. When released she will then be on probation two years and must complete parenting classes as well as drug and alcohol classes.
Kilijah Mann was sentenced in November, 2014 to 13 years with one year suspended. With credit for time served, he's expected to be imprisoned for the next five years. Upon his release, he will be placed on home detention for one year.
Former Washington County Commissioner Mike Goering Convicted Of Sexual Misconduct With a Minor
Former Washington County Commissioner Mike Goering of Salem was convicted of six counts of sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old girl and was sentenced to 20 years, 15 of those years will be executed.
Special Prosecutor Sonja Leerkamp accused Defense Attorney Mark Dove and Goering of manipulating the truth saying, "anything you could do to get out of this mess."
In announcing his sentence, Judge Evans says Goering had not shown any remorse for the victim, only for what he had lost. The judge also noted that the young woman involved had suffered significantly.
The crime occurred on Goering's maple syrup farm in February 2013 and involved a family friend who was 14-years-old at the time of the crimes.
A jury returned guilty verdicts on all six counts on April 10th.
Goreing was arrested after the girl's family reported the crime in March 2013. Gorering's attorney argued Goering didn't know the girl was under the age of 16.
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