Alicia Goemaat, who lived with the toddler's father, his son, and her own toddler, was charged with second-degree murder. On September 27, 2015, police responded to a 911 call from the couple's home in West Seattle and discovered the man's toddler son dead. An investigation was launched after detectives discovered blood and bruises on the child. The MEO determined that the toddler, 17-month-old Drue Lehto, had "substantial abdominal trauma that included a transection of his small bowel, liver lacerations, and a lacerated pancreas." The toddler died as a result of "abdominal trauma and internal bleeding," according to the coroner. The child also had a fractured clavicle. The couple denied any wrongdoing, but Goemaat later admitted to kicking the toddler twice in the abdomen after becoming enraged with him when he and her own son, who was a few months older, fought over a toy. She claimed that the first blow knocked the boy down and that she then kicked him again. She stated that she then placed the toddler in his playpen and discovered he wasn't breathing shortly after.
A 21-year-old woman who kicked her boyfriend's 17-month-old son to death last fall has been sentenced to more than 11 years in prison.
Alicia Goemaat pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the death of Drue Lehto in September 2015. A judge sentenced her to 140 months for the crime.
The incident occurred at the West Seattle home where she lived with her boyfriend, Derek Lehto, Drue and Goemaat's toddler son.
The day of Drue's death, Derek Lehto was running errands when Goemaat kicked Drue, knocking him to the ground. She kicked him again before placing him in a playpen, where he was later found unconscious.
Goematt would later tell authorities that she became angry when her son and Drue fought over a toy.
After he returned home, Derek Lehto tried to perform CPR on his son. Drue died before medics arrived.
Seeing blood seeping from Drue's left ear and bruises on his face and body, medics called police. An autopsy determined Drue died of abdominal trauma and internal bleeding. He had also suffered a broken collar bone.
Drue was taken to Seattle Children's hospital a week before his death for an appointment, when doctors noticed bruises and scratches on the boy that did not appear normal. Hospital staff referred his suspicious injuries to Child Protective Services.
Goemaat reportedly attempted suicide the night before she was arrested, days after Drue's death.
She denied knowing what happened to Drue until her arrest—only when she was taken to Seattle police headquarters did she admit to kicking Drue twice in the stomach.
Soon after Drue's death, his grandmother, Maria Blanco, told Seattlepi.com that Drue was a happy boy during his short life.
VIDEO: Mom Charged with Murder After Kicking Boyfriend's Son to Death | https://youtu.be/GMU7OWsicEc
VIDEO: Drue Lehto's Murder | https://youtu.be/V4wRkIb-Uqk
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