In Alabama, a 30-year-old mother will be sentenced to over two decades in prison for the murder of her 18-month-old son, who was brutally beaten to death by her lover five years ago.
Samantha McCormack, who was en route to the emergency room when she stopped to purchase cigarettes, was sentenced to 25 years in a state correctional facility by a judge in Blount County for the 2019 murder of young Enzo McCormack.
Samantha McCormack has previously entered a plea of guilty to felony homicide in the context of child abuse.
Robert Elmore Jr., 32, was convicted of capital murder by intentional murder of a person under the age of 14 and aggravated child abuse of a child under the age of 6 last year. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The conviction for aggravated abuse was the result of Elmore’s assault on Enzo’s sibling.
“This account is horrific.” I am incapable of comprehending the agony and anguish that this child endured before his death as a result of his injuries. I am unable to comprehend why an individual would act in the manner that Elmore did. However, Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey expressed her incomprehension regarding the decision of a mother to entrust her child to an individual whom she is aware to have been abusive to the child in a statement. “Elmore and McCormack will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
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In the 30000 block of AL-79, at approximately 7 p.m. on September 6, 2019, personnel from Blount County Emergency Medical Services responded to the Locust Fork Grocery & Hardware/Marathon Petroleum in response to an unresponsive preschooler, according to Birmingham ABC affiliate WBMA. Birmingham is approximately 30 miles northeast of the establishment.
The first responders reported that they discovered the toddler inert, unresponsive, and blue in the face upon their arrival at the scene. The child was promptly transported to the Locust Fort Volunteer Fire Department and subsequently transported to Alabama Children’s Hospital in critical condition.
Doctors determined that Enzo had no cerebral activity and that there was nothing else that could be done to assist the child, as reported by Birmingham CBS affiliate WIAT, and he remained on a ventilator until 9.9.2019.
McCormack informed investigators that she was at home with her children when she observed Enzo choke on cereal, according to a report from AL.com. A few hours later, she resolved to transport him to the hospital. McCormack reportedly also stated that she decided to pause and purchase a pack of cigarettes at Locust Fork, where a family member worked, while en route to seeking medical attention for her son.
The family member exited the vehicle to inspect Enzo, discovering him to be limp and chilly to the touch. They promptly contacted 911.
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On September 6, 2019, Elmore reportedly stated that the toddler pulled one of his chest hairs, causing him to drop the child, while he was holding Enzo. This claim was made during a police interview.
Nevertheless, a physician testified at trial that Enzo sustained blunt force trauma to the cranium, as well as “severe acceleration and deceleration injuries from being violently shaken,” according to Lawandcrime. The toddler also sustained a cranium fracture.
Furthermore, phone records indicated that Elmore sent McCormack a text message at 5:41 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2019, informing her that Enzo was “lack of breath, limp, and nearly blue.”
McCormack lost custody of her children in October 2018, but she was able to regain it in June 2019.
