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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 who murdered a toddler she had subjected to "barbaric" abuse in her care has been jailed for life.
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. Downer, who must serve at least 18 years, told Birmingham Crown Court her eldest son had caused the injuries.
Keegan died on 5 September last year. Before calling 999, Downer dumped her blood-spotted mattress, the court heard. Keegan died on 5 September 2015. Before calling 999, Downer dumped her blood-spotted mattress, the court heard.
'Brutal attacker' The short, sad life of Keegan Downer
Forensic testing at the house revealed traces of the girl's blood in her cot and on the bedroom wall.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.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.
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Mrs Justice Frances Patterson told Downer: "It is a horrible tale of callous conduct and at no stage have you showed any remorse.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." "Why you changed from a loving mother to a brutal attacker of a defenceless child is a mystery.
"You did not set out with the intention to kill Keegan but the repeated assaults on her made death as an outcome of your conduct increasingly likely passage of time."
She concluded: "Keegan suffered considerably in the last days and months of her life."
Keegan was placed in foster care from an early age after being born in March 2014 to a heroin addict.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.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.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."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."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.""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."
Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board will conduct the Serious Case Review to establish if lessons can be learnt from the tragedy.
It will publish its findings in summer.