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SALT LAKE CITY — A West Valley man was sentenced to prison Thursday for child abuse homicide, after pleading guilty to causing the death of a 21-month-old and causing injuries to a 5-year-old who was also in his care.
Isaiah Weaver, 23, was sentenced to five years to life in prison for child abuse homicide, a first-degree felony, and one to 15 years in prison for child abuse with serious injury, a second-degree felony.
His former girlfriend, Gena Sanchez, told Weaver at the sentencing that she will "spend this lifetime regretting even meeting (him)."
She said nothing will be able to bring back her baby, Jaycieion Sanchez, but knowing Weaver is going to prison brings her some peace.
Police were called to the home on Jan. 16, 2018, and found that Jaycieion "had been deceased for some time" and his body felt cold and showed signs of bruising "all over his body," according to charging documents. Officers also found fresh blood droplets on the walls and ceiling.
Deputy Salt Lake County district attorney Melanie Serassio said the autopsy report for the toddler shows the abuse was not just happening on one day. She said that marks on the child's body were consistent with what the 5-year-old child described — Weaver, who was 17 at the time, heating up a hanger with a lighter and then hitting the child with it.
She said Weaver's story to police evolved over time, and there were four different descriptions of how the toddler's head was hit. Serassio said the damage caused to the child's brain, however, was due to more than just hitting his head; it would have required quick acceleration of his head.
She said blood droplets around the scene show Weaver continued to spin the 21-month-old even after the child got a bloody nose.
Serassio said Weaver made repeated, intentional decisions that led to the baby's death.
The baby sustained severe head trauma; his body, head and mouth were covered in bruises; and his lower back, buttocks and the backs of his thighs were marked with lines, charges state. Jaycieion died of blunt force injury.
Defense attorney Michael Sikora said Weaver was living with Sanchez and her three children. Although he had dropped out of high school, there were no concerns about leaving the children in his care. He said when Weaver called 911, he was "absolutely distraught" and didn't know what to do.
"We're not dealing with a monster; we're dealing with an individual who's way over his head," he said.
Weaver apologized for his actions and to the child's family during the sentencing.
Third District Judge Randall Skanchy agreed with recommendations from both attorneys to run the prison sentences consecutively, and gave Weaver credit for the almost six years he has already spent in jail.
"I wish you the best. ... The opportunity exists for you to change direction and do good things," he told Weaver.
Sanchez was also charged in the case with child abuse, and accused of seeing signs of abuse but not acting to prevent the abuse. She is scheduled for a disposition hearing on Dec. 4.
