An Arizona mother and her romantic partner have been handed down a harsh sentence of 20 years in prison for their involvement in an appalling case of child abuse.
The abuse, which involved physical attacks, food deprivation, and even setting the 10-year-old victim on fire, shocked the community and led to swift legal action.
Arizona Mother and Partner Convicted for Disturbing Violence
Chloe Rae Sergent, the child’s mother, and her partner Keola Wimbish were arrested on April 5, 2022, after a concerned family member reported the abuse to authorities. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell delivered the news of their prison sentences, highlighting the severity of the abuse suffered by the young victim.
The child was subjected to physical violence, denied proper nourishment, and denied medical care for injuries. Disturbingly, evidence emerged that one of the defendants had even set the child on fire.
Reports from April 2022 revealed chilling details about the abuse. Investigators were informed that the child had been struck with a machete and a crowbar.
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Evidence of Neglect and Abuse
Witnesses also claimed they had never seen Sergent and Wimbish feed the infant. According to the horrifying conclusions of the case’s medical experts, the infant was severely undernourished, with 12 broken bones, and had infected injuries that needed surgical repair.
In court, both Sergent and Wimbish pleaded guilty to counts of child abuse and attempted child abuse. Wimbish faced an additional guilty plea for a second charge of attempted child abuse. The sentences were stern: 20 years in state prison followed by 10 years of supervised probation.
At the time of the abuse, Sergent and Wimbish were not only partners but also cohabiting with the victim and two other children.
The depth of betrayal and cruelty towards the child is difficult to comprehend. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell expressed her gratitude to the young victim for her courage in sharing her story.
Mitchell praised the intervention of a concerned relative, the diligent work of law enforcement during the investigation, and the efforts of her team of prosecutors, all of which led to justice being served.
The case serves as a grim reminder of society’s responsibility to protect its most vulnerable members and bring perpetrators of such heinous acts to justice.
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