Tahlequah Woman Who Took Son's Body To Babysitter Sentenced In His Death

A Tahlequah woman police say took the lifeless body of her son to a babysitter has been sentenced to 20 years in his death.

Monday, September 22nd 2014, 2:15 pm

By: News On 6

Tahlequah Woman Who Took Son's Body To Babysitter Sentenced In His Death

A Tahlequah woman police say took the lifeless body of her son to a babysitter has been sentenced to 20 years in his death. Jeri Sanders entered a guilty plea to a charge of accessory to the boy's death.

The charge was reduced from first-degree murder after a preliminary hearing, according to N. Jack Thorp, First Assistant District Attorney.

Authorities say the Dakota's stepfather, Buford Ellison, killed the boy and Sanders helped conceal the death in November, 2013. Sanders told investigators that her son would scream and cry as she tried to put him to bed, causing extreme stress for her and her common law husband who had cancer, according to court records.

12/5/2013 Related Story: Tahlequah Man Arrested In 3-Year-Old's Death Dies Of Cancer

Police believe Ellison killed the boy, and they say Sanders took his body to a babysitter who later called 911. They said Sanders showed no emotion over the death of her son.

Ellison died in December of 2013.