Father who murdered 18-month-old son with powerful punch to the chest sentenced (original) (raw)
Shane Flowers was convicted of the 2021 murder of his 18-month-old son after he punched the child in the chest in a South Los Angeles motel
Shane Flowers, 26, was charged with murder and assault on a child involving his 18-month-old son Dee'ago Alexander Jones
Shane Flowers, 26, was sentenced on Thursday to 28 years in prison for the death of his son Dee'ago Alexander Jones. The killing took place back in 2021 when police found the child unresponsive in a South Los Angeles motel.
The family of the child as well as the detectives who worked the case said on Thursday that they were pleased with the judges sentence.
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Ryanna Jones, De'ago's mother testified against Flowers and said she and her son came to California from St. Louis to get away from (
Image:
abc7)
Flowers has waved his right to appeal his sentence. (
Image:
abc7)
"Nothing can bring Dee'Ago back, however his mother and family and the hard-working LAPD detectives on this case were pleased with the lengthy sentence and that justice was finally served," said prosecutor Jonathan Hatami.
Police were called to the Rosa Bell Motel on July 12 2021 where they found Dee"ago unresponsive and not breathing. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Ryanna Jones, De'ago's mother testified against Flowers and said she and her son came to California from St. Louis to get away from his father. She claimed she was in a abusive relationship with Flowers and said hew would often beat her.
"He was beating on me with his fists and his hands," said Jones during a court hearing in April 2023. "He's very angry, so if he was to hit my son and I would say something, I would get hit 10 times worse. I'm scared of that man. Very scared ... he's very violent. I'm very scared of him."
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Flowers has waved his right to appeal his sentence. (
Image:
abc7)
Flowers eventually also traveled to California and the couple were staying in motel with the child at the time of the death. Jones said that Flowers woke her up saying the child wasn't breather.
Jones testified that Flowers told her that he punched the child in the chest and he fell and hit his head on the floor. They called 911 but the child was reportedly already dead by the time authorities arrived at the scene.
"He told me that he punched him in his chest and he fell and hit his head on the floor, and he acted like he didn't know what to do," said Jones. "It looks like he just wanted to leave at that point. He left me there by myself."
Flowers has waved his right to appeal his sentence.