An Oceola Township woman was given the maximum prison sentence possible for abusing her then-2-year-old stepgrandson.
Sara Rae Walters, 36, was ordered to spend 10-15 years in prison for first-degree child abuse for causing more than 60 injuries to the boy, who suffered extensive bruising and abrasions to his face, hands, arms, penis, legs, torso and buttocks.
"The judge imposed the sentence demanded by the facts of this case," Livingston County Prosecutor Wil-liam Vailliencourt said.
Assistant Prosecutor Daniel Rose, who handled the case, said: "Her vile and depraved actions toward a defenseless little 2-year-old boy violate the principles that define us as human beings.
"A person that commits such depraved acts forfeits the right to walk freely amongst us in society," he added. "To torment such a young child to the brink of death and to impregnate his young mind with a lifetime of struggle over matters central to the core of his being calls for the maximum sentence."
Circuit Judge Michael P. Hatty, who was reportedly so emotional he had to leave the bench during the hearing, exceeded state sentencing guidelines, which called for a minimum sentence of three years to five years in prison.
Police said the victim and his twin brother began living with Walters and her husband, who reportedly did not want to care for the twins, Oct. 11, 2011. Ten days later, the victim was admitted to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor after Walters "noticed something was wrong" with the child, according to court documents.
Doctors there discovered the boy's injuries and told authorities that the child's injuries were indications of severe abuse.
Authorities said Walters caused more than 60 injuries to the boy, but family members said the boy suffered 80 or more injuries "from head to toe." The boy's injuries included a subdural hematoma, superficial lacerations and contusions.
Family members also said Walters left cigarette burns on the child's face and that he was sodomized.
Police said the boy also had a body temperature of a 88 degrees when he was admitted to the hospital, but family members said the body temperature was around 77 degrees.
