FORSYTH, Ga. — A Monroe County woman charged two years ago with killing her 8-month-old son is now free.
But her boyfriend, who prosecutors say actually struck and killed the boy, is serving a life sentence, according to Elizabeth Bobbitt, an assistant district attorney for the Towaliga Judicial Circuit.
In August 2017, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office initially charged both Latorrica Allen and Sanchez Ussery with killing young Sanchez Ussery Junior.
"I think the hardest part is understanding how parents can be the ones to cause the death of a child in such a brutal manor," says Towaliga Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jonathan Adams.
ORIGINAL STORY: Monroe Co. couple charged with death of 8-month-old son
But later, investigators found that Allen was not home when Ussery struck the blow that killed his son.
Bobbitt said the boy died from a liver injury that likely killed him within 30 minutes. Allen was at work when that happened.
"There was absolutely no evidence that she had harmed the child in any way," Bobbitt said.
District Attorney Jonathan Adams says that decision was based off Monroe County Sheriff's Office's investigation. They also looked at Allen's responsibilities.
"They told her from the husband, the father of the child, that, quite frankly, he didn't like the child, that he was upset with the child, the child was very loud and noisy, always crying, wasn't like his other children," says Adams.
On Wednesday, Allen pleaded guilty to second-degree child cruelty.
She received a 10-year sentence with two years to serve. Allen was released from custody Wednesday after spending two years in the Monroe County jail.
Bobbitt said Allen was charged with child cruelty because she left her son with Ussery, who had complained about the boy's crying and expressed anger toward him.
"He had texted her saying that he didn't like the child, that he cried a lot and that she needed to come take him," said Bobbitt.
After reviewing text messages, it was revealed Allen knew Ussery wasn't a safe person to leave the baby with.
"It was her negligent actions helped lead to the harm, so it certainly varies, but this would be a typical sentence potentially with someone with no criminal history," says Adams.
Two weeks ago, Sanchez Ussery pleaded guilty to felony murder. He is eligible for parole in 30 years.
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