Vega Sentenced in 2006 Saunsoci Death

(DAKOTA CITY, NE) Tisha Vega will spend two years behind bars in connection with the 2006 death of Nathanial Saunsoci. Last month Vega accepted a deal, pleading guilty to two counts of child abuse. Tuesday she received two consecutive one-year terms for the charges. Despite the ruling, Nathanial's family still want answers and closure.

"Justice in this case is still a long way off."

It's been almost three years since 20-month-old Nathanial Saunsoci died in September 2006.

"There's not a day that doesn't go by that we remember Nathanial with tears in our eyes," says Eleanor Saunsoci-Baxter, Nathanial's great grandmother.

"His little spirit is still here," says Mary Saunsoci, Nathanial's great aunt.

Tisha Vega will now spend two years behind bars after pleading guilty to lesser charges in the case.

"It was a slap on the hand," says Saunsoci-Baxter. "When they say children are sacred, I believe that. And today it was not so."

Since Vega did not plead to charges involving Nathanial's death, the case is still open.

"We are still seeking information regarding Nathanial's death. Someone knows what happened to this child. We need that person to come forward," says Kim Watson, Dakota County Attorney.

Nathanial's family believes Vega did not get what she deserves.

"Her sentence is going to come when she does meet her Creator and it won't be til that day," says Saunsoci.

Native American child advocate Frank Lamere says the community must learn from this loss.

"We must take away from this tragedy a knowledge that we must see the red flags that are evident in foster care and adoptive when our children show up beaten and broken like Nathanial," says Frank Lamere, Native American child advocate.

Nathanial's family wants closure and they will keep fighting until they get it.

"It's not over. There has to be more to this. We want justice to be served," says Saunsoci-Baxter.

Vega will serve her time at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women in York.

But this isn't the end of her legal troubles in the state. Vega appeared in Colfax County Tuesday for a plea hearing in connection with DUI, 3rd-degree assault, and willful reckless driving charges from June. That hearing was continued until September 15th.

On that same day, Vega and her husband Carlos will also be in court for attempted murder charges from a July incident in Schuyler, Nebraska.

Reported by Erika Thomas. You can contact her at ethomas@kmeg.com.