Las Vegas woman gets life in prison in what DA calls ‘worst’ child homicide
A woman was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Wednesday for killing a 4-year-old boy in what a prosecutor called one of the worst child homicide cases he’s seen.
Crystal Stephens, 48, pleaded guilty in February to first-degree kidnapping, child abuse and murder in the 2018 death of Brandon Steckler Jr.
In exchange, prosecutors agreed not to pursue the death penalty against her. On Wednesday, Stephens faced District Judge Michelle Leavitt for sentencing.
“We’ve had a number of these cases before this,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Hamner said to Leavitt. “This might be the worst child homicide I’ve ever had.”
On July 30, 2018, Steckler was found by police, bruised and burned, inside an apartment in the 300 block of East Silverado Ranch Boulevard.
The boy died the next day, and the Clark County coroner later ruled his death a homicide. His injuries included broken ribs, a lacerated liver, a broken collarbone, a collapsed lung and possible rat bites, according to court documents.
Stephens told police that she was watching Brandon and his sister for two weeks while Brandon’s mother was living in a domestic violence shelter, according to her arrest report.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Stephens told Leavitt that she took full responsibility for her actions and had become committed to maintaining her mental health and sobriety.
Stephens did not explain why she abused the boy, and her public defender, Anna Clark, said her client knows that there is no justification for Brandon’s killing.
Steckler’s relatives said the boy radiated pure joy and love.
“The hole his absence has left behind is as immeasurable as the love he gave so freely,” said Steckler’s grandmother, Cynthia Mosley. “That was stolen from us in the most heartbreaking and inhumane way. Her cruelty has inflicted a wound that will never fully heal.”
Steckler’s father, Brandon Steckler Sr., shared the nicknames he had for his son: “Tuku,” for “too cool,” and “happy feet.” Court documents indicate that Steckler was nonverbal and had autism.
“I will say his story long after he’s dead and gone, because that is my boy, and he will always be in my heart,” the father said.
Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com.
