A West Virginia mother will likely spend the rest of her life behind bars after being sentenced for the murder of her 4-year-old daughter.
What Happened
Rebekah Weikle, 33, was sentenced to two consecutive terms of 15 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.
The victim — her daughter Haley — was killed in July 2022 inside the family’s home in the Forest Hill area of West Virginia.
The Motive
Prosecutors said the motive was deeply disturbing — maternal jealousy.
Weikle had developed a deep resentment toward her own daughter because her husband was paying attention to the child.
“She stated that she had this great resentment towards her daughter for whatever reason, and decided to take her life,” Summers County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Lefler said in court.
Investigators also found that Weikle had searched online for ways to kill the child before carrying out the attack.
The Sentencing
Kanawha County Circuit Judge Michael Froble ordered the two sentences to run consecutively.
This means Weikle must serve a minimum of 30 years before she is eligible for parole — making it likely she will die in prison.
The Father’s Words
The child’s father, who was present in court, spoke about losing his daughter.
“I want everybody to know how evil the person that she is and what all she has done. She killed a 4-year-old baby, my baby,” he said.
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