Appeal Filed in Child Heat Death Case

— The great-grandparents of a child who died in a car in the Walmart parking lot appealed their conviction to Washington County Circuit Court.

William Staten, 51, and Margette Staten, 61, were found guilty Dec. 6 of misdemeanor negligent homicide in Springdale District Court. Judge Ernest Cate sentenced them each to one year in jail.

The couple filed their appeals on Monday, said Joel Huggins, their attorney. They had until Tuesday to file.

“It’s not a surprise they appealed,” said Jon Nelson, deputy city attorney. “They were sentenced to the maximum jail time.”

The maximum sentence is one year in jail and a fine of $2,500. Cate did not fine the Statens, but levied $100 in court costs.

Joniah Chronister, 2, died Aug. 3. Testimony indicated the boy was left asleep in a car while the temperature climbed to 102 degrees. The Statens shopped for more than two hours while Joniah was in the car, according to police testimony.

A date for the appeal has not been set, Nelson said.

Upcoming Events