DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines man was sentenced Wednesday to 60 years in prison for killing a baby and abusing another infant in 2023.
27-year-old Devin Christopher Luckett entered an Alford plea to the following charges:
- Child endangerment causing death
- Child endangerment causing a serious injury
- Animal neglect with serious injury or death
An Alford plea allows someone charged with a crime to maintain their innocence while still accepting a sentence.
Luckett's sentencing comes more than a year after an infant, Keyontay Webster, died in his care. Luckett claimed Keyontay fell off the couch.
The baby's injuries were so severe that police began an investigation into Luckett, later determining that Keyontay died from "multiple blunt force trauma to the head."
While authorities were waiting for autopsy results, Luckett's 3-month-old son suffered multiple bone fractures. In addition, Luckett was separately charged with animal neglect.
A district judge sentenced Luckett to consecutive terms (one after another) on the child endangerment charges and concurrently (at the same time) on the charge of animal neglect. In addition, Luckett is required to pay a $150,000 civil penalty to Keyontay's estate.
Keyontay's mother, Keonna, told the court her child's organs were donated to other kids in need.
"His life won't go in vain," Keonna wrote.