Woman And Her Boyfriend Found Guilty In Orangevale Boy’s Death

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CBS13/AP) — A Northern California parent and her fellow person been convicted of murdering a 5-year-old lad aft inflicting “extensive abuse” connected the child.

The boy’s mother, Jessica Prater, 37, and her fellow Adam Caldwell, 45, were recovered blameworthy connected several counts related to the 2016 decease of Prater’s son, Zachary Prater-Stokes.

READ MORE: 'He Heard Me. He Heard Our Prayers': Turlock Man Survives Hit And Run; Family Calls Recovery A Miracle

The parent and kid had moved into Caldwell’s location successful the Sacramento suburb of Orangevale successful April 2016, the territory attorney’s bureau said successful a statement.

“Caldwell began to punish and maltreatment Zachary, some psychologically and physically,” the connection said. “The carnal maltreatment became much predominant and much violent. The maltreatment was besides inflicted by Prater.”

Roughly 2 months aft moving successful with her boyfriend, Prater called 911 “to study that Zachary had swallowed h2o successful the bathtub and was not responsive.”

Fire unit arrived and recovered Zachary clothed and adust successful a bedroom, and transported him to a infirmary wherever helium ne'er regained consciousness.

READ MORE: 'I Feel Hopeful': Rebuilding Paradise 3 Years After The Camp Fire

“Medical grounds confirmed extended abuse,” the connection said. The autopsy showed Zachary’s decease was caused by “blunt unit injuries and h2o submersion.”

Both defendants’ cases progressive astir 3 years of pretrial conferences and hearings, with proceedings proceedings past interrupted successful March 2020 by COVID-19 protocols imposed astatine Sacramento Superior County Court, tribunal records show.

Prater was convicted Friday of first-degree execution by torture, kid battle causing decease and kid maltreatment with large bodily wounded causing death, the territory attorney’s bureau said.

Caldwell was convicted past period of second-degree execution and kid battle causing death.

Each faces 25 years to beingness successful prison. Caldwell is scheduled for sentencing Nov. 19. Prater’s sentencing is acceptable for Dec. 10.

MORE NEWS: Police Searching For Clues After Man Gunned Down In Front Of Son In Stockton

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)