A Mobile, Alabama, woman has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the death of her 4-year-old nephew, King Lyons. Yolanda Denise Coale, 55, will be sentenced on Feb. 15, 2024.
Authorities initially charged both Coale and the victim's 9-year-old sister in King's death, but the charges against the sister were dropped after an investigation revealed she had no part in the killing.
Coale was King's caregiver and had a history of abusing him. Witnesses reported seeing her slap, whip, and deny him water as punishment. She also reportedly forced him to sleep in a "lock-up room" when he misbehaved.
King's death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma. He had bruising under his eyes, a cut on top of his nose, and cuts to his lips. His body also displayed other signs of abuse, including old scarring.
Coale's guilty plea is a step toward justice for King and his family. It also brings an end to the ordeal for the victim's 9-year-old sister, who was wrongly accused of her brother's death.
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