Former Daycare Owner Sentenced In Fatal Beating Of Foster Child

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A South Los Angeles woman convicted of fatally beating a foster child she was trying to adopt was sentenced on Friday.

Kiana Barker, 34, will spend 25 years to life in state prison in connection with the child's death, authorities said.

Back in 2010, the former daycare owner dialed 911 to report that her 2-year-old foster child was non-responsive. Barker told detectives she accidentally hit the child in the head with a hammer when she was stuck in a bed-frame.

The city shut down the daycare.

Barker was found guilty in October 2013 of second-degree murder, assault on a child causing death, and child abuse.

Barker's then-boyfriend, 42-year-old James Dewitt Julian, pleaded no contest to one felony count of accessory after the fact.

He was sentenced to three years in county jail, authorities said.