Man Convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter Sentenced

A Stephens County man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of a Franklin County toddler has now been sentenced.  On Thursday, Superior Court Judge R. Chris Phelps sentenced Willie Deshone Spencer of Toccoa to three years in prison. A jury had already found Spencer guilty of involuntary manslaughter in April.

On August 10th, 2018, deputies were called to a home on Williams Bridge Road off Georgia Highway 320 where a child had reportedly fallen from a stairway.  The child was found unresponsive.  Sheriff Steve Thomas said a preliminary investigation determined that the toddler had injuries that were identified as physical child abuse. Franklin County Emergency Medical Services transported the child to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center.  The toddler was later airlifted to Egleston Children’s Healthcare in Atlanta but died two days later according to Thomas.  The body was then sent to the GBI Medical Examiner’s office in Atlanta for autopsy.  Sheriff Thomas said the Medical Examiner determined the toddler died as the result of trauma to the body and strangulation, and the death was ruled a homicide.

Then in May 2019, Willie Deshone Spencer of Toccoa was arrested and later indicted on two counts of felony murder, one count of malice murder, aggravated assault, and cruelty to children.  Some of the other charges were thrown out after a decision by Judge Phelps.  The felony murder counts remain to be tried as the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

During the trial, Spencer’s attorney argued the death of the toddler was a tragic accident in which the child fell down a flight of stairs and suffered a fatal head injury.