Watch CBS News

Man Gets Life In Prison For Murder, Abuse Of Girlfriend's 2-Year-Old Son

Dimambro
Ronald Anthony Dimambro (credit: Macomb County Sheriff's Office)

ROMEO (WWJ/AP) - A 26-year-old Macomb County man has been sentenced to life in prison for the beating death of his girlfriend's 2-year-old son.

Ronald Dimambro Jr. of Washington Township was convicted by a jury in June of first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse in the slaying of Damian Sutton. First-degree murder carries a mandatory penalty in Michigan of life in prison without parole. Macomb County Circuit Judge Jennifer Faunce sentenced Dimambro on Thursday.

Damian Sutton
2-year-old Damian Sutton (Family Photo)

Authorities say Dimambro was babysitting for Damian Sutton last Aug. 21 when the man attacked the boy, breaking his skull. Damian died six days later.

Family members said at first, they thought the toddler had fallen out of a playpen — but they quickly became suspicious. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said Dimambro, who eventually turned himself in, admitted that he shook the boy roughly and then threw him.

While Damien was still on life support, his mother said she believed Dimambro deliberately injured the boy over jealously.

Click here to catch up on this case.

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.