Jessica Lenze and Alan Meador, the couple accused of neglecting their one-year-old son resulting in his death last January, were sentenced to the maximum sentence allowed by law Monday.
Judge Gregory Hulse found the two guilty of neglect of a dependent child following a bench trial last August.
Paramedics responded to a report of an unresponsive child on the morning of Jan. 20, 2008, at the home of Lenze and Meador at the Northern Lights Apartments, 1024 E. 10th St. N., Apt. 10, where the couple were living at the time. Domanic Xzavier Meador was found dead on his first birthday, and an autopsy found he died of dehydration, according to court records.
In his closing statements during the trial, prosecuting attorney Scott Nicholson said the child's parents were redirecting heat from the rest of the apartment to the baby's bedroom, in an attempt to help Domanic "sweat out a cold." That action, Nicholson said, did not seem malicious in intent, but all the other facts in the case, such as the messiness of the apartment, the baby's dirty diapers, the indication of very little food in the child's body, added up to neglect.
John Billingsley, Meador's attorney filed a post-trial motion to acquit or to grant a new trial, citing insufficient evidence to support the verdict. Likewise, Meegan Keeler, attorney for Lenze, filed a similar motion for acquittal, but Judge Hulse denied both motions.
Billingsley, in his request that his client be given probation, said Meador had no prior convictions. He cited a recent case in Arizona, in which people died of dehydration in a sweat lodge.
"These were educated people. They were not aware of the dangers," Billingsley said. "My client has no previous criminal history. The death was an accident. No one needs to remind Mr. Meador of the seriousness of his actions. He just lost his son."
In a prepared statement read by Meador, he said he knew now that letting his son sweat out a cold was wrong. He said he has learned that he needs to speak for himself and not to be afraid to ask for other people's help. He also admitted that he should have spent more time with his children. Lenze gave no public statement in court.
"This is not a case to grant probation," Judge Hulse said in handing down his sentencing for both of the parents. Both were sentenced to incarceration of an indeterminate period, not to exceed 10 years. They will get credit for time served, and pay a fine of $1,000 plus court costs.
Billingsley said he would file an appeal.
John Jennings can be contacted at 792-3121 ext. 425 or via e-mail at jjennings@newtondailynews.com.