A woman from Florida, Te’Lea Jefferson, has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading no contest to the brutal murder of 3-year-old Miguel, her girlfriend’s son. The incident happened in 2020, and the case has deeply shocked the community due to the extreme violence and neglect involved.
In addition to life imprisonment, Jefferson has also been given a 30-year sentence for aggravated child abuse.
What Happened to Miguel?
On October 19, 2020, Jefferson fatally attacked the child using a tire iron. She struck him multiple times, causing severe injuries, including deep cuts to his head and face and even a nearly severed finger. The child also showed signs of older injuries, which suggested ongoing abuse.
Shockingly, Jefferson waited over three hours before taking Miguel to the hospital. By the time she arrived at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare at 7 p.m., the boy was already unresponsive, had a dangerously low body temperature, and was pronounced dead minutes later.
Initial Lies and What Investigators Found
At first, Jefferson told doctors and police that Miguel had fallen in the bathroom while brushing his teeth and had shattered the toilet, causing his injuries. However, this story didn’t match the medical evidence. Doctors and detectives quickly realized that the injuries were far too severe to have come from a simple fall.
During the investigation, Jefferson admitted she became angry when Miguel refused to get down from the sink. She took a tire iron from a toolbox and threw it at him, hitting his face. Then she hit him three or four more times while he was already injured. According to detectives, Jefferson said she saw blood spray from the wounds as she hit him.
Previous Abuse and Family Situation
Jefferson lived with Miguel, his 6-year-old sibling, and their mother, who was not at home during the attack. Authorities later found that both children had suffered previous abuse. The Department of Children and Families removed the surviving sibling from the home for their safety.
Legal Outcome and Sentencing
Prosecutors initially planned to pursue the death penalty, but later agreed to a plea deal that sentenced Jefferson to life without parole and an additional 30 years for the abuse. She has been in custody since her arrest in 2020 and will never be released from prison.