Aunt Sentenced For Beating 4-Year-Old To Death Because He Couldn't Spell

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN — A woman convicted of beating her four-year-old nephew to death because he couldn’t spell has been sentenced to 22 years in prison, prosecutors announced Thursday.

Christen Dale, 24, became enraged while babysitting little Ethan Ali in the home she shared with her sister at 287 Rockaway Parkway on Feb. 25, 2015, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.

Dale reached for her belt and beat the four-year-old boy with the metal buckle on his head, back, chest, buttocks thighs, and arms because he couldn’t focus on a spelling lesson, said prosecutors.

Ali died from the injuries when his organs ruptured and finally failed, prosecutors said.

Dale was found guilty of manslaughter, assault and endangering the welfare of a child in May, prosecutors said.

Dale now faces 22 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision after her sentencing hearing in Brooklyn Supreme Court, said prosecutors.

“It is incomprehensible that anyone could hurt a child, much less beat an innocent and helpless four-year-old to death,” said Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

“Ethan Ali was robbed of his young life and now this defendant will appropriately spend many years of her life in prison for this brutal act.”

Contact information for Dale’s attorney was not immediately available.

Image via the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office