Site Map ·  First Alert ·  Talk to 12
Home  ·   News  ·   StormTeam 12  ·   News 12 Sports  ·   On Your Side  ·   Community  ·   Contests  ·   12 on TV  ·   12 Anywhere  ·   The News 12 Team  ·   Jobs  ·   What's On
EducationTeam12 · HealthTeam12 · CrimeTeam12 · Politics · Entertainment · Traffic · Buzz on Biz · Money · Home and Family · Special Coverage
Teen sentenced in beating death of sister Save Email Print
Posted: 11:23 AM Jul 3, 2008
Last Updated: 11:23 AM Jul 3, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press

A | A | A

July 3, 2008

GREELEY, Colo. (AP) -- A teenager has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for her role in the death of her 7-year-old half-sister.

Police say the girl was beaten during a re-enactment of the "Mortal Kombat" video game.

Heather Trujillo pleaded guilty in May to child abuse-negligently causing the death of 7-year-old Zoe Garcia. Trujillo's prison sentence may be suspended if she completes six years in a Youthful Offender System program.

Trujillo and 17-year-old Lamar Roberts were baby-sitting Zoe last December. Authorities say Zoe died from head injuries after she was hit, kicked and slammed to the floor. The teens were reportedly re-enacting the video game.

Seventeen-year-old Trujillo has agreed to testify against Roberts, who is charged with child abuse causing death.

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

More Stories
Teenage murder suspect surrenders to investigators

Two Wheeler Road stores robbed 7 hours apart by same man

Two men shot on busy Augusta road

Only on 12: North Augusta officer investigated for alleged excessive force

Burke County kidnapping charge dismissed

Home invasion murder suspect still on the loose

Woman wanted for check fraud

First on 12: Sheriff fires deputy linked to alleged sex scandal at Spirit Creek Middle School

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: perry Location: augusta on Jul 7, 2008 at 07:53 AM
I agree Ramona, that is a very light sentence for taking a life let alone a 7 year old. Blaming it on video game is a lame excuse. They should have life in prison, then when old enough be put to death. There was no accident whatsoever. And ot even allow her to do just 6 years in a YOS program? What a joke. I'd love to hear what the parents have to say.

Posted by: ramona Location: georgia on Jul 3, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Are these children products of incest or retarded? My view is is you take a life you should lose yours; then all this B.S. would slow down if not stop. I am sick of paying taxes for keeping these idiots in prison. We need someone to lead this country out of the quagmire it is in.When I am president this will stop!!

Posted by: CONCERN Location: USA on Jul 3, 2008 at 09:56 AM
I THINK BOTH TEENS SHOULD HAVE THE SAME SENTENCE AND IF THEY SHOULD CHARGE ANYONE WITH A MORE SEVERE CHARGE, IT SHOULD BE THE SISTER OF THE VICTIM. HOW COULD SHE LET SOMEONE COME IN AND DO ACTS LIKE THAT ONE HER HELPLESS LITTLE SISTER. SHAME ON HER.

CrimeTeam 12 Links
Forthcoming Judicial Opinions
Click here to see a list of upcoming opinions from the Supreme Court of Georgia.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
Richmond County Sheriff's Office
Columbia County Sheriff's Office
Search Incident Reports
Click here to search for and view incident reports from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
Aiken County Sheriff's Office
Sex Offender Information