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3-year-old girl died while in the care of her grandmother after the woman beat her to death and then dumped the body in a trash receptacle; grandmother sentenced

Oklahoma – In a disturbing case in Oklahoma, a 63-year-old grandmother, identified as B. Vreeland, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her 3-year-old granddaughter, identified as Riley. The sentencing, handed down by Judge L. McGuire, concludes a harrowing chapter for the family and community affected by this brutal crime.

The distressing incident came to light on June 21, 2022, when police officers responded to a “trouble unknown call” at a residence. Upon arrival, first responders discovered a horrifying scene: the body of young Riley was found in a residential trash receptacle at the home, showing clear signs of trauma. Further investigation revealed that Riley was under the care of her grandmother, Vreeland, when the tragedy occurred. The police transported Vreeland to the department headquarters for questioning, and she was subsequently booked into jail on suspicion of murder.

During the investigation, officers found blood spatter throughout Vreeland’s home, including in the master bedroom and bathroom. Notably, two small, circular indentations were found in the bathroom wall, which investigators noted “appear to be the size of a child’s head.” A total of 28 swabs were taken from the home, many testing positive for Riley’s DNA, pointing to a violent struggle that contradicted Vreeland’s account of the events.

Vreeland had claimed that Riley’s death was an accident, asserting that the child had fallen from a ladder in the backyard. She alleged that she kept Riley’s toys in a recycling bin where the child was found and speculated that Riley climbed a pool ladder next to the bin, fell, and died. This explanation was met with skepticism, especially after police noted that the ladder was missing its base and would collapse if used.

Vreeland pleaded no contest to one count of first-degree murder in connection with Riley’s death. Under Oklahoma state law, a life sentence is considered to be 45 years, with Vreeland required to serve at least 85% of her sentence due to the severity of the crime. This means she must serve more than 38 years before she may be eligible for parole, effectively ensuring she will spend the remainder of her life behind bars. A single count of desecration of a human corpse was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

The case has left the community and Riley’s family devastated. The decomposing body of the toddler was found by Vreeland’s ex-husband and Riley’s grandfather, who alerted the authorities three days after her death. Vreeland later admitted to not calling the police due to fears of losing custody of her other grandchildren. This tragic case highlights the sometimes hidden dangers children can face, even within their own families. The severity of the sentence reflects the community and judicial system’s stance on child abuse and murder, aiming to provide justice for the young victim and prevent similar incidents. As the community continues to mourn the loss of a young life, the hope is that this sentencing will bring some closure to those affected by this profound tragedy.

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