A French couple was convicted this week in connection with the death of a 3-year-old boy who died in 2016 after days of abuse.
BBC News reports that Loïc dealt Vantal, 28, so brutally blows that his girlfriend’s son, Tony, died of “deliberate violence that led to death.” According to an autopsy report presented to the Reims Assize Court during Vantal’s trial, the victim died with 60 lesions on his body.
“Approximately, I will not describe them all,” testified forensic pathologist Gérard Jeunehomme. “But I can tell you there were 23 in the head.”
The incident took place on November 26, 2016, when the boy’s mother, Caroline Létoile, then 19, contacted authorities about an unresponsive child. While on hold with a police officer, Létoile began to talk to Vantal without realizing that the call was being recorded.
“I said he fell down the stairs,” said Létoile to Vantal.
‘The stairs work, right? The stairs to the apartment … And I’m hiding everything from the fight. “
When authorities arrived, they noticed bruising all over the victim’s body. First responders rushed him to Reims University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Medical staff stated that Tony also had a ruptured spleen and pancreas, which ultimately caused his death, Le Monde reports.
Létoile told authorities that she had previously warned Vantal that she would leave him if he continued to beat her son. When asked why she was trying to protect Vantal, Létoile said she was afraid.
“I was afraid of this man … I wanted to ask for help, I didn’t succeed.”
‘I never wanted to protect him. I didn’t do that out of love, especially for him. I have to be able to explain this fear. I have a hard time finding the words, ”added Létoile.
A jury convicted Létoile as guilty of “failing to report physical violence”. She was sentenced to four years behind bars.
Vantal reportedly showed no emotion as the court heard him calling the boy a “filthy bastard” while regularly handing out beatings.
“[A neighbor] heard young Tony getting cursed every morning and heard someone stick his head in his pee, ”said the attorney general.
Vantal was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but insisted he never wanted to kill the boy.
“I caused his death, I didn’t kill him. It was not intentional. “
Subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast for the latest on true crime and justice. Here’s our latest episode.
Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most: your kids.
[Feature Photo: Tony/Handout]