RANDY HOLT LESSING | Boyfriend From Hell: Charged With The Murder Of His Girlfriend’s 2-Year-Old Daughter, Emmaline Mitchell | “she must have flung herself backward off of her toddler bed throwing a fit” | APCS

Randy Lessing. Autographed Postcard, Signed. Handwritten, 4 × 6. December 4, 2024. Las Vegas, NV.

Overview of the Case Against Randy Lessing

Randy Holt Lessing, a 30-year-old man from LaVerkin, Utah, is currently on trial for the alleged homicide of his 2-year-old stepdaughter, Emmaline Mitchell. The charges against him include first-degree felony reckless child abuse homicide and second-degree felony obstruction of justice. The case has garnered significant attention due to the tragic circumstances surrounding the child’s death and the nature of the injuries she sustained.

Incident Details

The incident that led to these charges occurred on July 19, 2023. Police were alerted to an unconscious toddler who had been admitted to St. George Regional Hospital. Medical professionals reported that Emmaline had suffered severe trauma to her head, which was later determined to be consistent with child abuse. Due to the critical nature of her injuries, she was transported by air to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, where she remained on life support for five days before succumbing to her injuries.

Medical Findings

During the trial proceedings, multiple physicians testified about the extent and nature of Emmaline’s injuries. Dr. Kerri N. Smith, a pediatric hospitalist at St. George Regional Hospital, described finding significant trauma including a hematoma – a localized collection of blood outside blood vessels – indicative of severe physical abuse rather than accidental injury. The medical consensus among doctors involved in her care was that her injuries were not consistent with a simple fall but rather suggested a more violent cause.

Defendant’s Actions and Statements

Following the incident, Lessing’s behavior raised further suspicion regarding his involvement in Emmaline’s injuries. Prosecutors allege that he failed to call emergency services promptly after discovering the child unresponsive and instead attempted to perform CPR while smoking a cigarette outside when they arrived at the hospital. His initial explanation – that Emmaline fell from her bed – was met with skepticism by medical professionals due to the severity of her injuries.

As investigations progressed, Lessing reportedly altered his account multiple times regarding how Emmaline sustained her injuries. Initially claiming she fell from her bed, he later suggested that she had fallen from his shoulders while he was carrying her outside – a narrative change that contradicted evidence presented by medical experts.

Legal Proceedings

The trial is being conducted in 5th District Court under Judge Jay Winward with prosecutors Ryan Shaum and Jerry Jaeger representing the state and Douglas Terry defending Lessing. The prosecution has indicated they will present recorded conversations between Lessing and Emmaline’s mother where he allegedly instructed her not to deviate from their agreed-upon story regarding the events leading up to Emmaline’s hospitalization.

Lessing has remained in custody since his arrest on August 8, 2023, following an investigation into Emmaline’s death which included testimony from various medical professionals who treated her.

Conclusion

The case against Randy Lessing highlights serious allegations of child abuse leading to fatal consequences for a young child. As legal proceedings continue, evidence presented in court will play a crucial role in determining whether Lessing is guilty of the charges brought against him or if he will be acquitted based on his defense claims.

• VIDEO: Varying accounts, autopsy results and closing; verdict returned in toddler's death | https://youtu.be/ngnPHexQsEw

• VIDEO: Grandmother of 2-year-old Utah child abuse victim says she was 'the perfect child' | https://youtu.be/CXzi_RVz0ms

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