Lancaster woman gets 21+ years in jail for baby’s death.
Lancaster Woman Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for Son’s Death
A tragic case in Lancaster, California has come to a close as Anaiyah Alise Perry, a 25-year-old woman, has been sentenced to 21 years and four months in state prison for the voluntary manslaughter of her 7-month-old son. The sentencing took place on September 29.
Perry also pleaded guilty to four felony counts of child abuse related to the boy and waived her right to appeal, according to Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami. She has been behind bars since her arrest in September 2019 by Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives.
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The initial charges against Perry included murder and assault on a child causing death. The incident involving her son, Royal Marshall, occurred on November 6, 2018.
During an April 2021 hearing where Perry was ordered to stand trial, a neighbor named Dustin Stober testified that the boy’s father came to his house in distress, holding his son and desperately seeking help. Stober immediately began performing CPR on the baby while his wife called 911. The father was visibly distraught, while Perry appeared emotionless.
The baby was quickly transported to Antelope Valley Hospital and later airlifted to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, but tragically passed away the following day.
Dr. Matthew Miller, who conducted the autopsy, testified at the April 2021 hearing that the baby’s cause of death was blunt force neck trauma, ruling it a homicide.
Dr. Carol Berkowitz, a board-certified child abuse pediatrician, reviewed the case records and testified in 2021 that she believed the boy had experienced a “shaking motion” near the time of his death, rather than 10 to 14 days prior, as initially claimed.
During the 2021 hearing, sheriff’s investigators revealed that Perry initially denied shaking the baby but later admitted to lightly shaking him about a week and a half before his death while gently rocking him back and forth.
Perry has been prohibited from having any contact with her older son, who has been permanently removed from her custody, as ordered by the court.
What reforms or improvements could be made to the child welfare system to enhance its effectiveness in identifying and protecting children at risk
According to the investigation, the incident occurred on September 14, 2019, when Perry called emergency services to report that her son, Zane, was not breathing. Paramedics rushed to their home and found the baby unresponsive. Despite their efforts to revive him, Zane was pronounced dead at the scene.
The autopsy report revealed that the cause of death was asphyxiation, with evidence of physical abuse and neglect. It was determined that Perry had intentionally smothered her son, leading to his tragic demise. The subsequent child abuse charges were in relation to the injuries that were discovered during the investigation.
The motive behind Perry’s actions remains unclear, but it was revealed during the trial that she had a history of drug abuse and had been involved with Child Protective Services in the past. Witnesses who testified at the trial reported instances of neglect and reckless behavior on Perry’s part.
During the sentencing hearing, Zane’s father, James Mitchell, delivered a victim impact statement expressing his grief and anger over the loss of his son. He expressed his disappointment in the system for failing to protect Zane and pleaded for justice to be served.
The judge, Honorable Michael A. Williams, acknowledged the severity of the crime and the immense loss suffered by the family. He emphasized the importance of protecting the most vulnerable members of society and condemned Perry’s actions as an unthinkable betrayal of a mother’s duty to protect her child.
Prosecutor Jonathan Hatami argued for a lengthy prison sentence, highlighting the intentional nature of the crime and Perry’s history of drug abuse and instability. The defense attorney, on the other hand, argued for a shorter sentence, citing Perry’s remorse and the potential for rehabilitation.
In the end, the judge sided with the prosecution and imposed a 21-year and four-month prison sentence, ensuring that Perry will be incarcerated for a significant portion of her life. The sentence also includes a requirement for Perry to receive counseling and drug treatment while in prison.
This tragic case serves as a grim reminder of the importance of early intervention and support for individuals struggling with drug abuse and mental health issues. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of the child welfare system in identifying and protecting children at risk.
While the sentencing brings some closure to the case, the pain and loss suffered by Zane’s family will undoubtedly endure. It is our hope that this tragedy will spur discussions and actions aimed at preventing similar incidents and ensuring the safety and well-being of all children.
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