Stepdad, who repeatedly punched 2-year-old stepson in head before the child’s mom put hand over her son’s mouth and suffocated him, was sentenced to death

According to the court documents, the 41-year-old defendant, later identified as Joseph, was found guilty of first-degree murder after he beat his stepson to death 3 years ago. Prosecutors said the defendant was sentenced to death on Friday.

The 2-year-old boy’s mom, later identified as 24-year-old HaiIey, was also convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors in Mississippi said the stepdad reportedly beat the 2-year-old boy, Hayden, to death in 2021 because the child soiIed his diaper and was taking too long to find a juice box.

Authorities began their investigation after the boy’s dad called them and said that his son was not breathing. The first responders reportedly found the child unconscious and rushed him to the hospital.

Unfortunately, the boy was pronounced dead 10 days later. During the trial, prosecutors said the defendant repeatedly struck the 2-year-old toddler in the mouth and head. During the trial, the boy’s mom reportedly testified that her husband reportedly grabbed her 2-year-old son with one hand and punched him with the other.

Shortly after the beating, the 24-year-old mom reportedly put her hand over her son’s mouth and proceeded to suffocate him. During the trial, the stepdad reportedly blamed the boy’s injuries on the child playing rough. The boy’s mom said that her husband regularly beat her son as a form of punishment.