In Texas, a 40-year-old woman could face a lifetime in prison for the horrifying abuse of her 6-year-old twin stepdaughters, a torment that led to the tragic death of one of the young girls. A Brazos County jury has reached a verdict, sentencing Jessica Bundren to life behind bars in a state penitentiary and a fine of $10,000 for the brutal slaying of Arianna Rose Battelle in 2020.
The Brazos County District Attorney's Office also found Bundren guilty of intentionally causing serious bodily injury to a child, a felony. Earlier, a grand jury had charged both Bundren and Justin Hopper, the twins' father, with two counts of child injury in October 2020.
Courtney Onstott, the victim's aunt, expressed relief and satisfaction with the verdict, saying, "She got exactly what she deserves. She took away my niece's life, and she deserves to spend the rest of her life having no life." The incident left Arianna's surviving twin without the constant fear of her tormentor roaming free.
The horrific incident unfolded on October 27, 2020, when police and medical personnel responded to a call about a child not breathing at a home in the 700 block of Garden Acres. Initially, Bundren claimed the victim had fallen down the stairs, but the police discovered the lifeless body of Arianna with visible injuries that suggested a pattern of abuse, including belt marks.
In a later confession to the police, Bundren admitted to using a belt as a form of punishment, striking Arianna six times, equivalent to her age. Prosecutors also presented evidence of a wooden paddle being used to inflict harm on the twins.
During the trial, a medical expert testified that Arianna and her sister had suffered prolonged and extreme torture, leading to Arianna's tragic demise. The expert described the death as slow and painful, with clear signs of relentless abuse. At the sentencing hearing, a forensic nurse, who had seen numerous cases of physical abuse, labeled this incident as the most severe she had encountered.
The girls' father is set to face trial on the same charges in the coming month.
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