Well Katherine, let me see if I have this right. You ONLY poured milk over his head after waking him up at 2:00 in the morning because of a small mess that the babysitter probably should have picked up; well,I don't know what the problem is then. Are you kidding me? Just that alone is disturbing to me. EVERYONE is that house has some level of culpability in what happened to that baby..

I think these two people should be ashamed of themselves for hurting a child in any way. It is times like this that I believe in the death penalty. This woman was entrusted with the care of her nephew while her sister was in prison and this is how she took care of him? It's absolutely appalling.

I can't even imagine what that poor baby went through in his short life. I have a 3 yr old boy and reading this makes me so upset that I don't think I can read anymore updates on this story.

In a drunken fit of rage after waking him up a baby at 3am you only poured milk on him and tapped him twice lightly? I wanted to thank you for not pleading guilty and actually taking the witness stand to show the members of society that what happened in that house to that poor little boy is truely insane and unforgivable. I hope reliving these memories and telling these lies tortures your soul as much as you tortured an innocent 3 year old child. How people like this are allowed to take in foster children is another issue that has failed to be brought up....do we actually screen potential foster parents or throw the innocent to the wolves to get them out of state's custody?

I cry each time I read the updates for this story. As a mother, an aunt and a human being, I am disgusted that this baby had to go through what he went through. If it's not bad enough that his mother made poor decisions and ended up in prison, SOMEONE decided that two other irresponsible people could care for this little boy. If you can't take care of your children then don't have them. Shame on his mother for not putting her children first. Shame on his aunt and aunts boyfriend for being so vicious. May this little boy rest in peace knowing that he is finally with someone who loves him.

If they need an EXECUTIONER to report to the ACI to do the job, JUST GIVE ME THE NOD, PLEASE !!!!!!!!

I thought I was going to throw up after learning more and more about this. My son is 3 and I can't even imagine how someone could do this to an innocent child. I wonder how she would feel if someone did that to her? I just can't fathom how the sitter watched.

Every time I see someone beating/abusing a child it makes me sick. These people should be punished to the full extent of the law and then some. What does a child know? It hasn't even begun to live life!

I feel justice would be done if they experienced what they did to that child - especially because she's on that stand lying and downplaying her role.

I cannot believe that Bunnell can actually believe for one second that her testimony is credible. Of course, she's had almost 4 years to rehearse what she would say on the witness stand. As both a mother and grandmother, I only hope and pray that this woman as well as her boyfriend spend the rest of their lives behind bars. If either one of them is set free, I think I will lose all belief in our justice system.

I was actually at the ACI with her for 30 days. She goes on like nothing happened. She takes no responsibility in any way and shows no remorse what so ever. It took alot for me to even look at her face for the 30 days I was there. She's a very violent nasty, and arrogant person. I hope that she does get the life with out parole sentence she was telling every one about. Bragging of how much of a bad a** she is......I think she's sick and deserve a death sentence!

It is sad. I have to keep track of the story. I want to see justice. How could you take reponsibility of someone else's children, when you were not worthy of it. Obviously there were some serious issues going on. It was yogurt. Last I knew it came up with simple soap and water. You had to wake the poor boy up at 2am. Who were you really mad at? I hope the both of you have a hard time sleeping at night. Reliving the memories of the awful night. The babysitter and the family member knew you well enough to know youo were a danger to these children. They waited til something bad really happened to say something. Shame on them. Lesson learned I hope. Help alot earlier than the when the young child lost his life. Everyone in that household was responsible. He is now in the hands of GOD, who will love and keep him safe eternally.

have to agree with everything written here - these people have no excuse or defense about what happened to this child. Both are equally culpable in his death, regarding of which one hit the "hardest". Absolutely disgusting people, both should be sterilized so they can't "breed" again. One word describes them and the people who supposedly raised them - ANIMALS.

I think the babysitter should also get life behind bars!!!! At 15 you dont know right from wrong? And people trust you with there children!!!!In my opion they should all!! rot in jail

This story is so sad - It makes me want to cry. How can someone hurt a three year old? How can someone hurt a three year old so viciously? What kind of person behaves like that?
She should be thrown in jail and never, ever let out.

I have to agree with all the posted comments I have read on this subject which is too sad for words. That poor child. These two people are savage and ignorant and had no business "caring" for a dog, never mind a child. I have faith that they will be seen for what they are and justice will be served here and in the hereafter.
I hope that this case will serve as a HUGE wake-up call to the DCYF or whatever other agency may have had some involvement in this. If positive changes are made, then TJ's humiliation and death would not have been in vain. He should be the poster child for mandatory caretaker screening, education, and improved monitering. Aren't these people required to take a class of some kind before assumming resposibility for innocent children????!!

This story makes me sick to my stomach. I have a son, nieces and nephews. I can't imagine hurting any of them for any reason under the sun. That poor child. Who was there to protect him? What was going through his mind during this savage beating? It's times like this that I have to believe in God. I know that God was there to protect this little soul and only the body was left behind to endure the rage of two pathetic people.

This states DCYF system stinks! How could they place three kids with a single mom of two in the first place????? I think the system is to be blamed also. I personally know of a woman who is almost mentaly retarded who just had a newborn and they let her have custody even after they found out she is homeless living in a shelter. She was also deemed unfit have her other child taken from her and it went to the father. Then we wonder how this can happen.

Funny how this is a quintessential Rhode Island story all the way. Teen pregnancy in Losersocket; incompetent DCYF passing the buck as usual; retard babysitter; Robert Mann telling his defendant to take the fifth (look it up, he's always defending losers like Delestre); dead child. One would think that in a state such a Rhode Island, with the TINY population that it has, that the state and it's people would have their s--t together. EMBARRASSING! I can see this happening easily in Boston, NYC, etc.. But this story contantly happens is Crap Island.

I truly believe both parties involved shold not see the light of day. They have no repsect for life. To beat on a innocent child repeatly is just not right. And justice will be served on a COLD PLATTER....

Thank you, sandy, for some more insight. The woman is clearly a liar. Yes, this is an incident that does merit the death penalty. It is also an incident that requires a serious look into DCYF.

If ever there was a reason to bring back the death penalty, this is it. Keep these two away from kids.

It is sad. I have children of my own and i can't believe anyone hurting them. Please make sure these people get what they deserve (dead penalty). they don't deserve to eat another bite of food. He is now in the hands of GOD.

It is sad. I have children of my own and i can't believe anyone hurting them. Please make sure these people get what they deserve (dead penalty). they don't deserve to eat another bite of food. He is now in the hands of GOD.

Every day I read about this trial hurts a little more. Who in his or her right mind would bat around a 3-year-old for any reason whatsoever, never mind a little slop on the floor? Someone who had been brought up the same way, one smack at a time.

Hurt people hurt people. Family violence is not genetic, it is learned, and not only from family members. It is learned by carpetbagging urban teachers who go home to their cozy suburban enclaves at night, complaining about the pathetic white trash and immigrants they are stuck with all day, just so they can pick up that $1000 paycheck at the end of the week and put in their time to collect their pensions.

This state needs a lot more love, and a lot less poverty pimps from DCYF and the educational system who institutionalize poverty and family violence.

T.J., help us to break the cycle.