Updated Dec 30, 2009 - 5:10 PM CST

A Montgomery County, Kansas woman is sentenced in the death of a baby.

Melissa Wells of Coffeyville had already been convicted in October for the 2008 murder of a 23 month old child in her care.

On Wednesday she was sentenced to life in prison for the murder, plus 55 months for child abuse.

The child, Brooklyn Coons, was the daughter of Randy Coons.

He and Wells lived together.

Randy Coons, 26, also of Coffeyville, was arrested and charged Wednesday with two alternative counts of aggravated child endangerment.

 

Updated Oct 9, 2009 - 4:52 PM CST

A Montgomery County, Kansas jury finds a woman guilty of killing her step-daughter.

It took the jury three hours to find Melissa Wells, 27, guilty of first degree felony murder and child abuse.

Wells was charged last September with killing Brooklyn Coons, 2.

Brooklyn died in January 2008 after Wells abused her.

Authorities say her death was caused by a combination of a blow to the head and violent shaking.

Wells will be sentenced in about six weeks.