WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren OhioSalem mother convicted of killing infant son sentenced 18 years to life

Salem mother convicted of killing infant son sentenced 18 years to life

Updated:

COLUMBIANA COUNTY, Ohio - A woman convicted of murdering her seven- month-old son apologized as a judge handed down her sentence.

Miranda Todd cried as she addressed the courtroom for the first time since being convicted of murder in the death of her son Derek Dennison.

"I want to apologize to my children because I feel like a failure to them and most important I want to apologize to my son Derek Dennison for not protecting him," Todd said.

A jury found Todd guilty of murder, involuntary manslaughter and endangering children.

Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam sentenced her to 18 years to life in prison for the crimes.

While Todd says she prepared to pay the consequences, she claims she did not inflict injury upon her son.

"This is not justice for Derek. This case is not solved. There is a killer on the streets and this is far from being over with," Todd said.

The defense has always said there were two other adults living in the home when the baby died.

While Derek's aunt, Valerie Dennison, says she believes the other people should be serving time as well, she's relieved Todd will be spending time behind bars.

"We're family. We still have lots of little ones that makes the time pass. But to know one of them is not with us anymore, it's always there. It's never going to go away," Dennison said.

Todd will receive credit for time already served. Her attorney said they have plans to appeal the conviction.