A French couple have been convicted this week in connection with the death of a 3-year-old boy who died in 2016 after enduring days of abuse.
BBC News reports that Loïc Vantal (28) delivered such brutal blows that the son of his girlfriend, Tony, that the child died of ‘intentional violence leading to death’. According to an autopsy report presented during the trial of Vantal in the Assize Court in Reims, the victim died with 60 injuries to his body.
“An estimated figure, I will not explain them all,” forensic pathologist Gérard Jeunehomme testified. “But I can tell you that 23 was in my head.”
The incident took place on November 26, 2016 when the mother of the boy, Caroline Létoile (19), was contacting authorities at the time about a child not responding. While being held at a police station, Létoile began talking to Vantal without realizing that the call had been recorded.
“I said he fell down the stairs,” Létoile told Vantal.
‘The stairs will be alright, right? The stairs to the apartment … And I’re hiding all that stuff from the argument. ”
When authorities arrived there, they noticed bruises in the victim’s body. Initial reactions rushed him to Reims University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Medical staff said Tony also had a torn spleen and pancreas, which eventually caused his death, Le Monde reported.
Létoile told authorities she had warned Vantal earlier that she would leave him if he continued to beat her son. Asked why she was trying to cover up Vantal, Létoile said she was scared.
“I was scared of this man … I wanted to call for help, I did not succeed.”
“I never wanted to protect him. I did not do it out of love, especially not for him. I need to be able to explain this fear. I have a lot of problems finding the words, ”Létoile added.
A jury found Létoile guilty of “not reporting physical abuse”. She was sentenced to four years in prison.
Vantal reportedly showed no emotion while the court heard him call the boy a “dirty bastard” while regularly beating him.
‘[A neighbor] heard the young Tony being cursed every morning and heard someone put his head in his pee, ”the prosecutor said.
Vantal was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but insisted he never wanted to kill the boy.
“I caused his death and did not kill him. It was not intentional. ”
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[Feature Photo: Tony/Handout]