Makallie E. Durham (Alcorn County Sheriff’s Office)
A 24-year-old babysitter from Mississippi has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the tragic death of a 2-year-old child under her care. The babysitter, Makallie Elizabeth Durham, plead guilty to one count of capital murder for beating the boy to death and causing serious harm to his infant sister. Circuit Judge Michael P. Mills Jr. issued the maximum sentence on Friday in a state correctional facility.
Durham also pleaded guilty to four counts of felonious child abuse in connection to the injuries inflicted on the toddler and his little sister. She was subsequently sentenced to an additional 40 years in prison, with the sentences running consecutively.
“She will not be eligible for parole or any other form of release from incarceration,” prosecutors with the First Circuit District Attorney’s Office said in a news release announcing the sentencing.
According to the indictment, the charges alleged that Durham abused the children over the course of four days, beginning on Sept. 9, 2022.
Two of the child abuse counts allege that Durham on both Sept. 9 and Sept. 12 “intentionally” caused bodily harm to the 2-year-old by striking him “in the face or head.” The remaining two abuse counts allege that Durham similarly struck the boy’s younger sister in the face or head on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12.
Durham had originally been charged with one count each of capital murder and child abuse before being indicted on the additional felonies.
As previously reported by Law&Crime, Alcorn County sheriff’s deputies and emergency medical personnel at approximately 9 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2022, responded to a call regarding an unresponsive child at a residence in the 300 block of County Road in Corinth, Mississippi. The home is located about 100 miles east of Memphis, Tennessee.
Responding deputies said they discovered the 2-year-old boy unresponsive, noting that he appeared to have multiple bruises and other abrasion marks on his body. He was immediately transported by ambulance to Magnolia Regional Hospital, the agency said.
Also in the house was the boy’s 11-month-old baby sister. Authorities said she was suffering from a series of injuries that appeared to be caused by physical abuse. The girl was also transported to Magnolia Regional. Later. However, both children were later transferred to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
Investigators soon discovered that Durham was babysitting the victims and she was taken into custody.
“The injuries to both children were determined to be non-accidental,” prosecutors said.
Unfortunately, on Sept. 15, 2022, the 2-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
