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Keegan Downer murder: Legal guardian Kandyce Downer jailed for life | Keegan Downer murder: Legal guardian Kandyce Downer jailed for life |
(35 minutes later) | |
A woman convicted of murdering a toddler in her care has been jailed for life with a minimum of 18 years. | A woman convicted of murdering a toddler in her care has been jailed for life with a minimum of 18 years. |
Kandyce Downer, 34, killed 18-month-old Keegan Downer less than a year after she was appointed her legal guardian. | Kandyce Downer, 34, killed 18-month-old Keegan Downer less than a year after she was appointed her legal guardian. |
The toddler had 153 scars and bruises and suffered what police described as "barbaric and evil" treatment, sustaining brain and spinal injuries. | The toddler had 153 scars and bruises and suffered what police described as "barbaric and evil" treatment, sustaining brain and spinal injuries. |
During her trial at Birmingham Crown Court, Downer blamed her eldest son for causing the young girl's injuries. | During her trial at Birmingham Crown Court, Downer blamed her eldest son for causing the young girl's injuries. |
Keegan died on 5 September last year. Before calling 999, Downer dumped her blood-spotted mattress, the court heard. | |
'Brutal attacker' | |
Forensic testing at the house revealed traces of the girl's blood in her cot and on the bedroom wall. | |
Woman jailed for 'brutal' toddler murder | |
A post-mortem examination revealed the toddler died from a combination of old head injuries, septicaemia and blunt chest trauma but had suffered a catalogue of injuries in her life. | |
Mrs Justice Frances Patterson told Downer: "It is a horrible tale of callous conduct and at no stage have you showed any remorse. | |
"Why you changed from a loving mother to a brutal attacker of a defenceless child is a mystery." | |
Keegan was placed in foster care from an early age after being born in March 2014 to a heroin addict. | |
She was placed with mother-of-four Downer, a member of her extended family, nine months before her death. | |
An NSPCC spokesman said: "We hope this sentence will serve as a warning to deter others who would subject children in their care to such astonishing cruelty. | |
"Little Keegan did not deserve to be treated so abhorrently in her short life. | |
"Questions must be asked about how a woman who was entrusted with caring for Keegan ended up killing her. | |
"A Serious Case Review must examine in detail the use of the Special Guardianship Order as well as the assessment and long term support arrangements in this case." |