Utah mother gets at least 20 years in prison for 2010 death of son, 4, who was abused, killed

Stephanie Sloop, charged with aggravated murder in the 2010 death of her son, Ethan Stacy, listens to proceedings in Farmington, Utah, where she pleaded guilty on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014. She was sentenced to twenty years to life. (AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Al Hartmann, Pool) (The Associated Press)

prev next

Stephanie Sloop, charged with aggravated murder in the 2010 death of her son, Ethan Stacy, enters court in Farmington, Utah, where she pleaded guilty on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014. She was sentenced to twenty years to life. (AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Al Hartmann, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Stephanie Sloop, charged with aggravated murder in the death of her son, Ethan Stacy, enters Judge Thomas Kay's courtroom in Farmington, Utah, on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014 for a preliminary hearing. She ended up pleading guilty to aggravated murder and obstruction of justice which the judge and prosecution accepted. She was sentenced to twenty years to life. (AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Al Hartmann, Pool) (The Associated Press)

FARMINGTON, Utah – A Utah woman whose 4-year-old son was malnourished, beaten and then killed has been sentenced to at least 20 years in prison for her role in the boy's death.

A judge on Monday sentenced 31-year-old Stephanie Sloop to 20 years to life behind bars for Ethan Stacy's 2010 death.

The Standard-Examiner reports (http://bit.ly/11dMttm ) that Sloop pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and obstructing justice under a deal with prosecutors.

Prosecutors say Sloop failed to stop her husband and Ethan's stepfather, Nathanael, from abusing her son and didn't call for help.

A medical examiner testified last year that the boy died of too many over-the-counter medications, severe burns and pneumonia.

Authorities say Nathanael Sloop then used a hammer to disfigure Ethan's face before burying his body. The stepfather is serving 25 years to life in prison.