KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — Separate juries have found both Matthew Longenecker and Kelly Ballenger guilty in the swaddling death of her 4-year-old daughter, but on different charges.
While he has been found guilty of felony murder, a separate jury found her guilty of involuntary manslaughter, placing most of the blame for Desaray Thompson’s death on him.
The little girl smothered when she was bound in blankets and duct tape to keep her from getting out of bed last July, but pathologist testified that there was also extensive bruising and abrasions on her body and possibly a skull fracture that showed she had also been the victim of physical abuse.
While he faces life without chance of parole, she could also get up to life because they were both also convicted of first degree child abuse.
Sentencing will come next month.
