Man sentenced in connection to 3-year-old’s death

ZANESVILLE — A former boyfriend of a mother convicted of killing her daughter was sentenced to 18 months in prison Monday in connection to the daughter’s death.

Lionel Smith was sentenced by Muskingum County Common Pleas Judge Mark Fleegle to 18 months in prison for one county of felony attempted endangering children, one count of misdemeanor endangering children and one count of failure to report a crime or death.

“There is never a satisfying result where a child homicide and child abuse is involved. In this case, both the mother, Kristen Prince, and Mr. Smith played a role in the death of one child and the abuse of another. Mr. Smith failed to protect the children as necessary and the charges and sentence reflect that,” said Ron Welch, Muskingum County assistant prosecutor.

The charges stem from the death of 3-year-old Kadence Prince. Prince was found not breathing, lying on the floor of her mother, Kristen Prince’s home, in early February 2008. Kadence was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Kristen was sentenced to 10 years for one count of involuntary manslaughter and six months, to be served concurrently, for one count of child endangering.

Kristen admitted she lost her temper with Kadence because she had become fussy and she went to bed after hitting Kadence in the stomach.

Bruising was found around Kadence’s lips, face, back and abdomen — all consistent with child abuse, the prosecution previously said.

In Muskingum County Common Pleas Judge Kelly Cottrill’s court:
• Ronald Bates, 26, of Conesville, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of drugs, fifth-degree felonies. A presentence investigation was ordered.

• Garrett Walker, 28, of Zanesville, was sentenced to two years of community control for one count of endangering children, a third-degree felony. He must also complete parenting classes, introduction to community control and 100 hours of public service.

• John Lynn, 37, was sentenced to seven months in prison for one count of trafficking in a counterfeit substance, a fifth-degree felony.

• Adam Spragg, 24, of Zanesville, pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of community control in relation to two counts of possession of drugs, third- and fifth-degree felonies, and one count of permitting drug abuse, a fifth-degree felony.

He was continued on community control subject to all current sanctions and ordered to complete the Genesis relapse program.

• Sharie L. Burtnett, 47, of Zanesville, was granted judicial release. Burtnett was convicted of one count of trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony, one count of permitting drug abuse, a fifth-degree felony and one count of trafficking in drugs, a second-degree felony.

Burtnett was placed on community control for two years.

Source: http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/article/20100208/UPDATES01/100208006