SEDGWICK COUNTY- A Kansas man who who pled guilty to child abuse is going to prison for the death of his 1-year-old son.
A judge sentenced 26-year-old Kentrell Willingham to just over 5-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. He was originally charged with with first-degree murder, an alternative count of first-degree murder, child abuse and aggravated child endangerment.
In February, Willingham's girlfriend, 25-year-old Xjohnna Hannah, pled guilty to aggravated child endangerment.
In July, Willingham was charged with first-degree murder and an alternative count of first-degree murder, child abuse and aggravated child endangerment.
Hannah, not the boy's mother was also originally charged with one count of 1st degree murder, abuse of a child and aggravated endangering a child, according to the District Attorney's office.
On July 30, 2022 police responded to a child abuse report at a Wichita area hospital, according to Officer Chad Ditch.
When officers arrived at the hospital, they were told a family member and guardian of 1-year-old Lasiah Williams brought him to the hospital unresponsive. Doctors pronounced the boy deceased.
Investigators learned Lasisah had been with his father, Kentrell Willingham, and his girlfriend Hannah, for a few days. A family member of the child met Willingham in the 1600 hundred block of South Oliver to exchange custody.
The family member left with Lasiah and a short time later would realize the child was unresponsive. The family member and Lasiah’s legal guardian immediately drove to the hospital where the boy was pronounced deceased.
Hannah will be sentenced on March 28.