Baby Chance's dad sentenced to 45 years in prison

(FOX 13 Tampa)

SARASOTA, Fla. – Today should mark the beginning of closure for baby Chance Walsh’s grandparents, but they say they walk away with even more heartache and a loss that will never be filled.

Joseph Walsh appeared in front of a judge in Sarasota County to make a plea. He was facing first-degree murder and child neglect charges in connection with the death of his son, 9-week-old Chance.

In October of 2015, Chance went missing.  His parents Kristen Bury and Joseph Walsh spun a web of lies over what happened to their son; eventually his body was found in a wooded area of North Port.  He had been beaten and left with only a diaper on.

In court Tuesday, Joseph was hidden most of the time by his attorney as he pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 45 years.

When Chance's grandparents got the opportunity to speak, they did not hold back.

"I’m a grandmother without grandchildren because of you,” Sally Sussino told Joseph Walsh.  “I hope for the next 45 years your dreams are haunted by what you've done and you suffer the same pain you conflicted on my precious grandson Chance."

"While you sit and rot in prison, I hope you live every day what it feels like to know you stole all of that from us. He could have had such a great life. You stole everything from us, Joe. I hate you for it,” Chance’s other grandmother, Kimberly Millwater, added.  “I hope you rot in hell."

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