A WOMAN has been charged with kidnapping her pal’s autistic son and torturing him to death – leaving “every inch” of him covered with injuries. Crystal Stephens, 42, allegedly battered little Brandon Steckler Jr, four, so savagely that prosecutors couldn’t tell who he was. Officials in Las Vegas, Nevada, last night announced they will pursue […]
A WOMAN has been charged with kidnapping her pal’s autistic son and torturing him to death – leaving “every inch” of him covered with injuries.
Crystal Stephens, 42, allegedly battered little Brandon Steckler Jr, four, so savagely that prosecutors couldn’t tell who he was.
Officials in Las Vegas, Nevada, last night announced they will pursue the death penalty against Stephens – who is also accused of sexually assaulting the lad and giving him METH.
Paramedics found stricken Brandon Jr lying in her home with dozens of horrific injuries last year.
He died shortly after arriving at hospital – but docs couldn’t even tell how he died because he had so many different wounds.
An autopsy revealed he was covered in bruises and burns, with 27 separate rib fractures and trauma to his private parts.
He also tested positive for meth, and had a lacerated liver, a collapsed lung, sepsis, pneumonia, and a broken collarbone.
Bruises, burns, injuries (including burns) inside the mouth and on the arms, 27 rib fractures and trauma to his private parts.
Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Jacqueline Bluth said: “I didn’t even know it was the same child. I was blown away.”
Speaking at a fundraiser for funeral costs last August, dad Brandon said: “No parent, no father, expects to bury their child.
“He would jump off the back of the couch and hit you with (an) elbow drop that ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage himself would be proud of.”
Cops are not expected to charge mum Ariel Watts as she is believed to be unaware her son was being harmed.
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