SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Sioux Falls man who killed a Madison toddler a year ago was sentenced Friday in Lake County Circuit Court.
22-year-old Jacob Meinders pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of a three-year-old Madison boy, as part of an agreement with the state.
Meinders admitted to seriously injuring the boy – R.J. – at the home where he lived and caused his death in late September of 2015.
Circuit Judge Pat Pardy Friday sentenced Meinders to serve 75 years in the state penitentiary, with 25 years suspended. Judge Pardy also ordered Meinders to pay restitution of more than $16,000, which included restitution for the victim’s family, as well as other costs incurred as part of the case.
Judge Pardy based his sentence on several factors, but most importantly Meinders’ lack of remorse and unwillingness to take responsibility for what happened.
The judge said that Meinders attacked the child repeatedly, in what he said was a “vicious beating”, and imposed the maximum sentence allowable by the state’s plea agreement.