Woman sentenced to life in death of infant

<p>A baby sitter has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of killing a 23-month-old child.</p><p>Judge William Boyett sentenced Katherine Banta to life Saturday in the death of Charisma Wallace.</p><p>Earlier in the day, a jury convicted Banta of felony murder, cruelty to children and making false statements. But she was found not guilty on a charge of malice murder.</p><p>"I can die happy knowing that she will die in prison," said the young girl's grandfather, Donnie Rizer.</p><p>Banta, 47, was baby-sitting Charisma on Feb. 28, 2004, the day the girl died.</p><p>Prosecutors said Banta beat Charisma, causing a head injury that led to her choking to death on her own vomit. The head injury, according to testimony from a medical examiner, was from "multiple blows to the head."</p><p>Banta testified on Friday that she thought Charisma had a head cold and told jurors the baby's last words were "Mamaw" _ the child's pet name for Banta.</p><p>Prosecutors argued that Banta and her husband failed to get proper medical attention for Charisma and lied to police about how she died.</p><p>Banta's husband, Clinton Banta, 55, was convicted of making false statements. But he was found not guilty on charges of felony murder and cruelty to children.</p><p>The judge set a sentencing date for Clinton Banta for Nov. 22. He faces up to five years in prison.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x1cd9b2c)</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/10/138440