HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 04-19 Maplewood man admits aggravating factors in toddler's beating death PIONEER PRESS4/21/2016
Maplewood man admits aggravating
factors toddler's death
By II''IIIIIII''III':'i IIIIIIIIu I rchin@pioneerpress.com
April 19, 20161 UPDATED: 1 day ago
A Maplewood man is expected to get a 25 -year prison sentence in the beating death of a 17 -month-old
toddler after agreeing Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court not to oppose the prosecution's efforts to
give him a harsher punishment.
Leb Mike Meak, 36, pleaded guilty in September to
second-degree murder in the Feb. 12, 2015, death of
Genesis Xiang, the daughter of his girlfriend.
On Tuesday, Meak waived opposition to an
aggravated sentence in the case and admitted to
aggravating factors supporting a finding of particular
cruelty in the crime.
Meak admitted that while caring for his girlfriend's
daughter at a Maplewood residence, he squeezed the
11 4: b IMflk:u IlM4:uak (Cou irtesy of Ramsey Couinty,Shc�Hfl)
child around the chest, causing a rib fracture; he hit
the girl in the abdomen, causing serious internal injuries; he threw the child toward a bed, causing her head
and face to slam against a wall; and he did not call 911 until several hours later, after he discovered the child
was not breathing, even though the child had been screaming and crying in pain and he was aware she was
severely injured.
According to the Ramsey County Attorney's Office, a 25 -year sentence would be double the punishment
called for in sentencing guidelines. The sentence will have to be approved by the court in a hearing June 3.
Genesis' mother, Lia Pearson (also known as Lia Lee), 38, was charged with child endangerment and
manslaughter for her role in the child's death. Her case is still pending.
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