Maine mom sentenced for killing 3-year-old son covered 'head to toe' in bruises

STOCKTON SPRINGS, Maine (TCD) -- A 36-year-old woman was sentenced to 47 years in prison for the 2021 death of her 3-year-old son.

WMTW-TV reports Jessica Williams, who also goes by Jessica Trefethen, received the sentence Tuesday, Dec. 20, in Waldo County Superior Court. Trefethen was convicted in October of depraved indifference murder in connection with her son Maddox Williams' death.

According to a statement, on June 20, 2021, members of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit learned a family member took Maddox to the hospital, where the young boy died. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, and State Police arrested Trefethen on June 23, 2021.

News Center Maine reports Trefethen said Maddox got injured after being dragged by a dog leash and hitting a rock, and then getting kicked by his sister. The autopsy, however, determined he suffered a fractured spine, bruising, internal bleeding, blunt force trauma, and other injuries.

At Trefethen’s trial, Assistant Attorney General Leane Zainea reportedly said Maddox’s injuries "would require a significant amount of force, the force that one might see in a punch or more likely a stomp," according to News Center Maine.

Maddox reportedly had some missing teeth, although his adult teeth had not grown in, which would have caused the others to fall out.

WGME reports Trefethen’s mother testified Maddox was "covered in bruises from head to toe."

MORE:

• Maine mother sentenced for killing toddler son - WMTW
• Stockton Springs woman found guilty in death of 3-year-old son, 10/18/2022 - News Center Maine
• Affidavit reveals 3-year-old Stockton Springs boy died from non-accidental blunt force trauma, 6/25/2021 - News Center Maine
• Opening statements start in trial of Stockton Springs mom charged in son's death, 10/5/2022 - News Center Maine
• Maine mother sentenced to 47 years for beating 3-year-old son to death - WGME
• Maine State Police is investigating the death of a child in Stockton Springs, 6/22/2021 - Maine State Police
• Stockton Springs Woman Charged with Murder, 6/24/2021 - Maine State Police