NewsJanuary 19, 2003
Mom's boyfriend sentenced to life for child's death
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- An Independence man was sentenced Friday to life in prison plus 60 years for the death of his girlfriend's young daughter. Bobby L. Matthews, 30, pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder, abuse of a child resulting in death, and three counts of child abuse. He received the life sentence for the murder charge, plus 15 years for each of the child abuse charges...
The Associated Press
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- An Independence man was sentenced Friday to life in prison plus 60 years for the death of his girlfriend's young daughter.
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Bobby L. Matthews, 30, pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder, abuse of a child resulting in death, and three counts of child abuse. He received the life sentence for the murder charge, plus 15 years for each of the child abuse charges.
Prosecutors said Matthews abused 23-month-old Alexis Smothers for months until the girl sustained fatal brain swelling. She died Feb. 22, 2002, one day after police found her unconscious at the family's apartment.
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