Issue 107, April 03, 2024

Babysitter Sentenced to Prison for Toddler's Death Due to Covering Playpen with Mattress, Grovetown Community Shocked by Stabbing & Arson Murders

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

What takes place after death and results in the biological breakdown of body tissues?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

‎PODCAST: The Vanished | The Judith Brown Case

‎In May 2, 2022, we featured Judith Brown's disappearance from April 1977. At 19, she vanished in NYC after dating Richard, an older man with a violent past. Richard, acquitted for murders, met Judy at Creedmoor. Despite FBI involvement, Judy's case stayed cold until her relative Julian reignited the investigation.

Listen Now

What’s Happening Now

Babysitter Sentenced to Prison for Toddler's Death Due to Covering Playpen with Mattress

Brittany Napier, 32, was sentenced to prison for one year for involuntary manslaughter and one to five years for gross child neglect after pleading guilty to charges for the death of 2-year-old Za'khi Williams in July 2023.

Napier tearfully apologized in court for placing a mattress on top of the playpen with the toddler inside, leading to his death.

Authorities reported that Za'khi became pinned between the mattress and the playpen railing, resulting in his death.

The child's mother expressed devastation in court, stating her family was ripped apart.

Napier was also given a 50-year supervision order and restricted from seeing her children.

Grovetown Community Shocked by Stabbing, Arson Murders; Suspect Charged and Investigation Ongoing

Two people, Karen Boswell and her 6-year-old son, were found dead in a house fire in Grovetown.

The victims had been stabbed and burned.

The suspect, Donald Beck, was found at the scene and is charged with 2 counts of Murder and 1 count of Arson.

Boswell's daughter, Brittany, had little knowledge of Beck but recalls a strange encounter on Facebook.

Residents in the area were shocked by the tragedy.

The investigation is ongoing, and no bond has been set for Beck.

Families of the victims are seeking answers as they mourn the tragic loss.

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🚼 Safety Tip of the Day: Entrusting Children to Babysitters

One important safety tip when entrusting children to babysitters is to always thoroughly vet and screen potential babysitters before leaving your child in their care. This can include checking references, conducting interviews, and even performing background checks if possible. Additionally, it's crucial to communicate any specific instructions, emergency procedures, and contact information with the babysitter before you leave. Regularly checking in with the babysitter during your absence can also provide peace of mind and ensure that everything is going smoothly.

Cold Case Highlights

Justice Served: Alan Dean Convicted in 1993 Murder of Melissa Lee

Alan Dean was convicted of the 1993 murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington.

The verdict, reached after an eight-day trial, brought closure to Lee’s family and friends, who testified about her tragic death.

Advances in DNA technology and forensic genealogy played a crucial role in linking Dean to the crime 27 years later.

Despite Dean's previous psychiatric evaluations, he was found competent to stand trial and faces 20 to 26⅔ years in prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 24.

Lee’s family can finally find solace after decades of uncertainty.

Seeking Information on 1996 Murder of Neptune City Business Owner

Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago is seeking information about the 1996 murder of Smita Amin Patel, a business owner in Neptune City.

Patel was killed in her store on March 22, 1996.

The authorities are urging anyone present at the Gables shopping center during the incident to come forward.

Community cooperation is crucial to provide closure and justice for Patel's loved ones.

Neptune City Police Chief Matthew J. Quagliato reaffirmed the commitment to solving the case.

To share information, contact Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Detective Sergeant Christopher Guy or Neptune City Detective James VanEtten at the provided phone numbers.

PODCAST: ‎Last Seen Alive | The Unsolved Case of Courtney Holden

‎In this episode of Last Seen Alive, investigators uncover the baffling case of a young woman from Spokane, Washington, who disappeared without a trace. Despite her adopted family's endearment, referring to her as their "real-life Cinderella," her absence remains unreported for over a year.

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🔍^{Trivia Answer}
Decomposition

Decomposition refers to the process that occurs after death where the body tissues break down biologically. This process involves the breakdown of proteins and other organic matter, leading to the eventual decay and decomposition of the body.