Vicki Chiles Convicted By Jury

A day care owner was found guilty on Thursday of murdering a toddler in her care.  The jury recommended Vicki Chiles receive life without parole for suffocating 2-year-old Joshua Minton with masking tape.

The News On 6's Ashli Sims reports it took the jury three and a half hours to deliver a guilty verdict and the Minton family was overcome with relief.

They poured out of the courtroom and into each other's arms. There were tears of relief that the woman responsible for killing Joshua Minton would spend the rest of her life in prison.

"I think I'm kinda in shock. I believe we've had justice served today," said Joshua's grandmother, Margie McDonald.

The jury found home day care owner Vicki Chiles guilty of murdering the toddler last May.  Chiles admitted to taping Joshua's hands and mouth with masking tape, because he wouldn't be quiet during nap time.

The defense rested without calling a single witness.  But Chiles' attorney tried to make the case in closing arguments that his client did not willfully injure the boy and shouldn't be convicted of murder.

The jury disagreed and recommended Chiles receive life in prison without parole.

"I'm really glad about that because I don't want her to have the opportunity to do this to another child," said McDonald.

Prosecutor Brian Kuester says the verdict should send a message to the community about child abuse.

"If you reach that point where you think you might harm your child, stop, call someone take a different action but don't do that. This jury has told everyone out here in this community that if you harm a child justice is going to be served," said Kuester.

McDonald says the verdict was necessary for her family to heal, but it can't erase what's happened.       

"I know we'll never get over it. It's something you just never get over when you lose a child in your family. And Robert and Katie have to wake up every morning without their baby," said McDonald.  

Joshua's parents, Katie and Robert Minton, were too emotional to talk on camera.  Vicki Chiles on the other hand showed no emotion when the verdict was read. And the Minton family feels like she never expressed any remorse.

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4/22/2008  Opening Statements Likely In Daycare Murder Trial

4/21/2008  Jury Selection Continues In Day Care Death

7/18/2007  Daycare Owner To Stand Trial For Murder

7/17/2007  Autopsy Results Released In Daycare Death

6/12/2007  DHS Procedures Under Review Following Child's Death

6/8/2007  New Allegations Against Daycare Owner Charged With Murder

6/6/2007  Relatives Of Child Killed At Daycare Push For Change In Legislation

5/29/2007  Court Hearing Date Set For Daycare Worker Charged With Murder

5/24/2007  Parents Of Child Who Died In Daycare Speak

5/18/2007  Daycare Worker Accused Of Killing Child Was Already Under Investigation

5/18/2007 Selecting The Right Daycare For Your Children

5/17/2007 2-Year-Old Dies After Being Tied Up At Daycare, Says Police