(Rhinelander, Wi.) — A Wisconsin jury has found the stepmother of a Danville toddler guilty of first-degree reckless homicide in the child’s death.
WJFW reports that the verdict came Thursday at the conclusion of a four-day trial. The panel deliberated less than 40 minutes before finding 30-year-old Ellen Tran guilty in the death of 20-month-old Avery Edwards.
The child was spending a month in Wisconsin with his father and stepmom, when he died in April 2017. Tran claimed Avery slipped and fell in the shower. Doctors believe much more happened, based on bruises to Avery’s body.
The boy’s mother, Lori Edwards of Danville, traveled to Wisconsin to testify.
Tran did not take the stand and showed no emotion as she was placed in handcuffs and led from the courtroom Thursday. She faces up to 60 years in prison when sentenced.
In his closing argument to the jury, District Attorney Michael Schiek admitted he didn’t know exactly what happened to Edwards the night of April 14, 2017. But he was confident Tran did it.