Mother Sentenced For Killing Child
Mother Sentenced For Killing Child
Husband, Son Taken Into Custody
POSTED: 4:56 pm CST January 31, 2003
UPDATED: 5:16 pm CST January 31, 2003
LIBERTY, Texas -- A woman who admitted killing her adopted special needs child was sentenced Friday, News2Houston reported in an exclusive story.
The judge sentenced Edith Beebe to 75 years in prison. She faced from five to 99 years behind bars after pleading guilty to injury to a child.
She showed no emotion after the verdict was read.
Beebe is the former adoptive mother to six handicapped children.
On March 17, 2000, police went to the Beebes' home in Liberty to investigate reports of child abuse.
The body of Joseph Beebe, 8, was found, covered with bruises, police said. According to investigators, Beebe often used a bamboo rod to punish her children.
Friends wanted a lighter sentence.
"I think that probation probably would have been appropriate. But certainly not 75 years. I don't think that she should die in prison," said Kathy Shifflett, a friend.
News2Houston asked Beebe's husband, Brian, if he wished he had done more for his children.
"Don't you always wish you did more for your children?" Brian Beebe said.
Brian Beebe and their son, Justin, were also taken into custody Friday after pleading guilty to failing to protect the children.
"I just think there was a side, a hidden evil side, of Edith Beebe that for some reason was directed towards those four children who were just beaten, and battered and one killed," said Michael R. Little, Liberty County district attorney.
Before sentencing, the judge heard emotional testimony from Beebe's friends and fellow church members.
Many of them blamed Children's Protective Services for overwhelming the Beebes and allowing them to adopt children with severe disabilities.
"These were six special needs children and they put a lot of stress on your life. And so, what I asked of the courts was they have mercy over their judgment," said Angela Allen, a family friend.
"This matter isn't a CPS problem. It's a problem with evil and that evil, evil incarnate, is Edith Beebe, in my opinion," Little said.
Beebe told friends that she pleaded guilty to spare her family from a trial.
After Joseph's death, all of the children were removed from the Beebe home.