Life Sentence In Child Abuse Death Case

A Salina man convicted of murder in a 2011 child abuse death gets a life sentence.

Judge Renee Young Friday afternoon sentenced 29-year-old Antonio Brown Sr. to life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 20 years before parole eligibility for the murder concvicition. She also sentenced Brown to nearly 200 months for other charges he was convicted of, including child abuse. The sentences are to run consecutively.

Prior to the sentencing, a motion  by the defense for a new trial on the basis of insufficient evidence for a conviction was denied by the Judge.  She said that there was sufficient evidence presented.

The state requested that the sentence be doubled due to the aggravating circumstances Brown was found guilty of.  Saline County Attorney Ellen Mitchell said that Brown ‘s abuse of the child was extensive, and happened on a daily basis for several days. Mitchell said there were extreme injuries, including over 100 areas of bruising. She said it was “cruel, severe, torture”.  The Judge granted the request for a harsher sentence.

A tearful Brown read a statement prior to the sentencing. He said that though he was not fully responsible for everything that happened, he takes full responsibility.

Brown was convicted earlier this year in connection with the abuse death of his former girlfriend’s 14-month-old son.

Brown initially pleaded no contest in the death of Clayden Urbanek. He disappeared from the Saline County jail the day before his sentencing. He surrendered two days later in Wichita and withdrew the plea. At that time Judge Young ruled Brown’s attorney gave him inaccurate advice on the prison sentence he would receive by pleading no contest.

The toddler’s mother, Brittney N. Betzold, is serving about 13 years in prison for her role in her son’s death.

Brown will face trial in the escape case in February of next year.