| A former Calhoun man, Matthew Edward Lamp, 30, was sentenced to 40 years in prison Monday by Judge Robert Waters, the maximum sentence for a person who admits guilt in the death of a child.
Lamp pleaded guilty in October to death of a three-year-old boy under his custody.
The child was the son of Lamp's girlfriend, the boy died in a Morgantown hospital days after the incident happened in September, 2012.
Lamp admitted to hitting the boy a few days before his death. He also admitted in court that the couple discussed not reporting the incident to authorities.
In court Monday, the child's biological father said it was a deliberate act.
"My son will never get to go to school...or get married, or have a girlfriend...just no life," said Jesse Case. "He's in the ground, and I have to live with that."
ORIGINAL STORY (OCT. 2013) A former Calhoun man, Matthew Lamp, 30, of Parkersburg, has pled guilty in the death of a 3-year-old child.
Lamp agreed to a 30-year sentence in Wood County Circuit Court, a non-binding sentence. Lamp must serve 10 years before he is eligible for parole.
The boy died several days after being struck in the head by Lamp with his fist according to court testimony.
Lamp (pictured left) told the court, "I punched the little boy in the head...He fell asleep... and didn't wake up."
The incident occurred at the home of the boy's mother Natisha Dawn Stephens Kays last September. Kays has yet to be charged.
Testimony said no medical treatment for the child was sought until the next day.
Lamp told the court Kays did not want child protective services involved.
"She was worried the other kids would be taken away," he said.
Lamp, who is incarcerated, will be sentenced on Jan. 9.
See related story LAMP WAIVES PRE-LIM HEARING IN DEATH OF THREE-YEAR-OLD BOY
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