Woman enters guilty plea in child’s death

The woman accused of second-degree murder in the 2007 death of one of her boyfriend’s children entered a guilty plea to a reduced charge today and will testify against the father at his trial next spring.

Brandi Lea Reeves, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of child abuse resulting in substantial bodily harm in the bludgeoning death of 33-month-old Zander Martino on July 10, 2007.

Police believe the toddler’s father, Richard Todd Martino, 27, killed the boy with a hammer less than three weeks after Child Protective Services in Las Vegas returned Zander and two other siblings to the downtown home Martino shared with Reeves.

“I knew things were going on with Richard abusing Zander, and I did nothing,” Reeves told District Judge David Wall in explaining her role in the death.

“I saw him get too aggressive,” said Reeves who, along with Martino, has been in custody since July 10, 2007. “I saw choke marks and small bruises all over. I saw him throw things (at Zander). I should have gone to the authorities about it, but I didn’t.”