SETH IRELAND - 10yo (2008) - Fresno CA

When Rena Ireland testified against her
boyfriend in a murder trial following the death of her 10-year-old son,
her attorney hoped she would get probation.She didn't. Fresno
County Superior Court Judge Wayne Ellison found that Ireland played a
role -- and wasn't a passive bystander -- in the beating death of her
son, Seth Ireland. He sentenced her Monday to six years in prison.Seth's
father, Joe Hudson, who earlier had told the court that Rena Ireland
was "unfit to hold that title of mother," let out a quiet but firm "yes"
from the back row of the courtroom.Rena Ireland's sentencing
came not long after her boyfriend, LeBaron Vaughn, was sentenced by
Ellison to 15 years to life in prison for Seth's beating death.
The sentences ended a saga that started Dec. 29, 2008, when Fresno police
say Vaughn severely beat Seth inside the southwest Fresno home he
shared with Rena Ireland. The child died eight days later.


Seth Ireland


LeBaron Vaughn, left, and Rena Ireland were sentenced Monday in Fresno
County Superior Court in the 2008 beating death of Ireland's
10-year-old son, Seth Ireland. Police say Vaughn was Rena Ireland's
live-in boyfriend when the beating occurred.
Vaughn will be eligible for parole in 15 years, but as Ellison handed
down the sentence for what he called a "horrendous" crime, he noted the
34-year-old likely will spend the rest of his life in prison.Before
Ellison handed down the sentence, Seth's father called Vaughn "an evil
parasite" who Rena Ireland allowed into her home. Hudson shared photos
of Seth, his only child, with the court, and recalled that Seth was born
three months premature and was given a less than 50% chance of
survival.But he did live, said Hudson, who nicknamed his son "papas" for little potatoes.
"My son is my hero," he said.He declined to comment after the sentencing.Vaughn
didn't speak before Ellison pronounced the sentence, but his attorney,
James Lambe, said he "is very sorry for what he has done."Lambe
said Vaughn began a "descent into madness" about four months before he
beat Seth to death. Part of that was increasingly erratic behavior that
included complaining about Seth's behavior. In reality, the complaints
weren't true."Mr. Vaughn was in need of mental health treatment, although he didn't recognize it," Lambe said.In
the sentencing of Rena Ireland, Ellison said Seth suffered and his
mother permitted it, and even lied and covered up Vaughn's actions when
police and county Child Protective Services investigated a 911 call from
a neighbor.Ellison said that was "a severe aggravating factor."
Hudson said Rena Ireland stood by while Vaughn "abused, tortured, tormented" Seth.Rena
Ireland's attorney, Antonio Alvarez, had asked for probation, saying
his client was a victim of Vaughn's control and intimidation. Last
month, she was given a plea agreement to testify against Vaughn. Under
the agreement, she pleaded guilty to a felony charge of child
endangerment.Rena Ireland broke down in court and was unable to
make a statement. She was handcuffed and taken into custody after the
hearing.Outside of court, Alvarez said Ireland was remorseful.
"From the very beginning, she felt horrible about what happened," he said. "She failed her son."

Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/02/14/2272110/man-gets-15-to-life-for-fatal.html#ixzz1E30n0K4r