Awful final photo of autistic boy, 4, tortured to death by dad’s girlfriend…as she turns on waterworks in court
A vile child abuser’s courtroom sobs couldn’t erase the haunting final image of a 4-year-old boy who endured unimaginable torture before his tragic death.
The tears of Crystal Stephens, 48, didn’t prevent a judge from sentencing her to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Wednesday for the savage murder of her ex-boyfriend’s son, Brandon Steckler Jr., in 2018.
The nonverbal autistic boy was found lifeless in a Las Vegas apartment with 27 rib fractures, malnutrition, bruises, burns, sepsis, pneumonia, and methamphetamine in his system.
His injuries were so severe that medical professionals struggled to determine a cause of death, according to Clark County prosecutors.
‘We’ve had a number of these cases before this,’ Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Hamner said. ‘This might be the worst child homicide I’ve ever had.’
In February, Stephens pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping resulting in substantial bodily harm and child abuse.
In return, she would no longer face the death penalty.
‘I’m terribly sorry for my horrific actions,’ Stephens said, crying as Clark County District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt handed down the sentence.
Little Brandon Steckler Jr. was found lifeless in a Las Vegas apartment with 27 rib fractures, malnutrition, bruises, burns, sepsis, pneumonia and methamphetamine in his system
The killer told police she had been caring for Brandon and his sister while their mother stayed in a shelter for victims of domestic violence
Crystal Stephens, 48, the ex-girlfriend of Brandon’s father, Brandon Steckler Sr.
Police found Brandon on July 30, 2018, bruised and burned inside Stephens’ apartment on East Silverado Ranch Boulevard.
She had called police, claiming Brandon had drowned. Investigators later discovered drug residue and paraphernalia in her home.
Despite doctors’ efforts, he died the next day. The Clark County coroner ruled the death a homicide.
His injuries included broken ribs, a lacerated liver, broken collarbone, collapsed lung, and possible rat bites, according to court documents.
Stephens told police she had been caring for Brandon and his sister for two weeks while their mother, Ariel Watts, stayed in a shelter for victims of domestic violence.
Watts reportedly had asked Stephens to take care of the children.
Authorities had previously received five reports to Child Protective Services regarding Brandon and his family, but a state child welfare report stated CPS investigated only once and deemed the allegations unsubstantiated, 8NewsNow reported.
At the sentencing, Stephens said she took full responsibility for her actions and was committed to maintaining her mental health and sobriety.
She did not explain why she abused the boy so brutally. Her public defender, Anna Clark, said her client knows ‘there is no justification for Brandon’s killing.’
On Wednesday, Stephens was seen sobbing inside the Nevada courtroom where she sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole
Police found Brandon (pictured) on July 30, 2018, bruised and burned inside an apartment on East Silverado Ranch Boulevard in Las Vegas
Authorities previously received five reports to Child Protective Services regarding Brandon and his family, but a state child welfare report stated CPS investigated only once and deemed the allegations unsubstantiated
Brandon’s family described him as a joyful, loving child.
‘The hole his absence has left behind is as immeasurable as the love he gave so freely,’ his grandmother, Cynthia Mosley, said.
‘That was stolen from us in the most heartbreaking and inhumane way. Her cruelty has inflicted a wound that will never fully heal.’
His father, Brandon Steckler Sr., shared the nicknames he had for his son: ‘Tuku,’ for ‘too cool,’ and ‘happy feet.’
‘I will say his story long after he’s dead and gone,’ he said. ‘Because that is my boy, and he will always be in my heart.’
Stephens has remained in custody at the Clark County Detention Center since her arrest in 2018.
While Nevada has the death penalty, the state has not put a person to death since 2006.
