A Wichita mother convicted of murdering her toddler by exposing him to methadone has been sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after she serves 25 years.
Kimberly Compass and her lawyer argued for a more lenient term — including something that would keep her out of prison — while her son’s paternal family asked for longer, at least 40 years. But the judge only had one sentencing option for first-degree felony murder under Kansas law, and he told them all that during Compass’ sentencing hearing Wednesday afternoon.
“This is the sentence that I am required to impose. I can’t go higher as the victim’s family wants me to do, and I can’t go lower,” Sedgwick County District Judge Jeffrey Goering said of the life term.
Compass, 28, plans to appeal, her lawyer said in court.
The sentence caps an emotional child death case that has taken more than five years to conclude.
Enough methadone to kill an adult
Two-year-old Zayden JayNesahkluah was found dead the morning of May 31, 2019, in Room 19 of the Sunset Motel, 2328 S. Broadway in Wichita, where he had spent the night with his mother, a sibling and one of Compass’ friends.