Ryne White

Man Gets 35 Years for Killing 5-Month-Old Son

Updated: Thursday, 18 Feb 2010, 7:12 PM CST
Published : Thursday, 18 Feb 2010, 7:12 PM CST

Sun-Times Media Wire

Crown Point, Ind. - A south suburban man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal beating of his 5-month-old son in a northwest Indiana apartment.

With relatives of the victim sobbing in court, Ryne Anthony Le Val White, 25, of Monee, was sentenced in Lake County (Ind.) Superior Court, according to the Lake County Prosecutor's office. He had pleaded guilty on Dec. 16 to neglect of a dependent.

Prosecutors said that on Aug. 21, 2008, White was watching his son, Ryne Anthony White Jr., while the child's mother went on a job interview. White's 9-month-old daughter from another relationship was also present at the Oak Knoll Renaissance apartment in Gary.

The child died of blunt force trauma, according to a release from the prosecutor's office. Deputy Prosecutor Judith Massa had argued for a 40-year sentence because of White's past criminal history -- two felony drug convictions in Illinois -- and because, "This was his own son, his own baby."

"This was a tragic and violent death," Massa said. "Nothing can bring this little baby back to his family but there has to be consequences.

The victim's grandmother, Quintella Logan told the court through tears that she dearly loved the grandson she would never see again, according to the release. "I just don't understand," she said.

The child's mother, Le'Neka Logan, sobbed as she said, "Nothing I can say can make it any better. Words can only go so far. I hurt every day. There is nothing I can do to get him back."