Sterling Kyle Andersen, Murder, Minnesota 2015

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - In a shocking case of child abuse, 24-year-old Sterling Kyle Andersen was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the brutal murder of his three-year-old girlfriend's son, S.W.W. The tragic incident occurred on October 7, 2015, while Andersen was babysitting S.W.W. in Duluth, Minn.

According to court documents, Andersen became agitated when S.W.W. wouldn't stop crying. In a fit of rage, he brutally assaulted the young boy with his fists and knees, causing severe internal and external injuries. When emergency personnel and law enforcement arrived, Andersen claimed that S.W.W. had fallen in the woods and hit his head, but ultimately confessed to the assault.

S.W.W. was airlifted to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The case was investigated by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, White Earth Police Department, Becker County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad prosecuted the case, which resulted in Andersen's guilty plea on November 9, 2016. On February 1, 2016, Andersen was indicted for second-degree murder.

Andersen, 24, of Duluth, Minn., was convicted of one count of murder in the second degree. He was sentenced to 360 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

The tragic case highlights the devastating consequences of child abuse and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable. The community is still reeling from the loss of S.W.W., and Andersen's sentence brings some sense of justice to the family and loved ones of the young victim.

Defendant Information:

Sterling Kyle Andersen, 24, Duluth, Minn.

Convicted:

Murder in the second degree, 1 count

Sentenced:

360 months in prison, five years supervised release

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United States Attorney's Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/white-earth-man-sentenced-30-years-prison-murder