Foster mother convicted in death of four-year old

Corinne Stephen was found guilty today of involuntary manslaughter for the death of Dontel Jeffers on March 6, 2005. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 5.

Stephen, 25, had been charged with second-degree murder - a more serious accusation - for failing to take the little boy for medical treatment until the day he died, which was just 10 days after he'd been put in her care. According to the Globe, prosecutors did not present evidence that Stephen herself beat the boy - he died of internal hemorrhaging. But they charged she failed to bring him in for care even though she knew there was something wrong; she did give him large doses of Tylenol.

"[The jury] found that this defendant, through her action or inaction, was criminally responsible for Dontel's death, and they held her accountable," Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley said. "It's justice for this little boy, and it's justice for his family."

More:
Channel 4
Channel 5
Herald
Globe