In a Gwinnett County court, a tragic case has reached its conclusion after Dennisa Mary Vega and her boyfriend, Jahlin Javante Corey, both 33, were convicted and sentenced in the death of Vega's 10-month-old son. The jury found the couple guilty of involuntary manslaughter and battery following events that occurred more than five years ago, resulting in the infant sustaining a fractured skull, broken ribs, and bruising over parts of his body. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, both defendants have been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Emergency responders had arrived at the Norcross apartment on Beaver Ruin Road early in the morning of September 2, 2019, finding the child unresponsive, and despite attempts to resuscitate him, the child was pronounced dead at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. An autopsy later revealed severe internal injuries of such a nature, that the child's passing was deemed a direct result of abuse. Vega was sentenced to a total of 21 years, with 15 to serve, while Corey received a 50-year sentence, also with 15 years to serve, both are now barred from unsupervised contact with children under 12, including their own, per FOX 5 Atlanta.
"This 10-month-old infant, Amir Vega, died as a result of these defendants’ crimes," said Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson. "He will never grow into an adult. This is the verdict the jury rendered after assessing the evidence in the case. We hope that this sends a message that children must be cared for and not abused in our community," Austin-Gatson told FOX 5 Atlanta.
The convictions bring to a close, a painful chapter for all involved, particularly the family of the victim.
