Megan Paris: Virginia woman gets 20 years in prison for killing live-in boyfriend's 3-year-old son
GLADYS, VIRGINIA: A former live-in girlfriend, Megan Paris, who came up with multiple accounts to explain why the three-year-old child in her care had severe head injuries when he died, has been sentenced to 20 years behind bars. The sentence follows a no contest plea to the murder of Ian Berger, the toddler she was supposed to be looking after.
Paris, 32, appeared distressed in the Campbell County courtroom in Virginia while being sentenced to 40 years, with 20 of those years suspended, in her trial where she was charged with second-degree murder.
Paris, a Gladys resident, told investigators at least three different versions of how the severe injuries occurred following Berger's tragic demise due to a traumatic brain injury.
It included stories of the toddler falling out of a booster seat and hitting his head on a bathtub or falling down the stairs.
What were the accusations against Megan Paris?
According to ABC affiliate WSET, the defendant chose not to call the medical responders on the day the toddler suffered the fatal injuries that resulted in his death.
According to the outlet, prosecutors argued that it was evident from the severity of the injuries that the child victim, Ian Berger, did not merely fall down or accidentally hit his head in the bathtub, as Paris had testified.
Even the emergency skull surgery performed by the doctors failed to save the victim, the court heard. Berger succumbed to his injuries at the hospital on September 18, 2020.
Paris had reportedly abused the victim several months before his death as well, when she inflicted bruises and broke his shoulder.
What did the victim's father say?
In a victim impact statement at Paris' sentencing, Ian’s father David Berger of Rustburg, said “there are no more good mornings, good afternoons, good days or good nights for me.”
“There are only days and bad days,” he added.
Local residents launched a fundraiser after his son's death. David credited these community members for saving his life.
“To be honest, if it wasn’t for friends like this, I probably wouldn’t be here,” David Berger said at the time.
“It’s been really nice having a bunch of friends helping me through the hardest time of my life," he added.
The victim's father shared a heart-wrenching post
David shared a heartbreaking post in May 2021 in which he remembered the good times with Ian. He also called for justice and revealed how hard his life had become.
"I’m so glad I got to teach him how to fish. He was instantly hooked on fishing. We ended up spending most of the day fishing instead of going out on the boat. As a father I longed for moments like this", he penned in the post.
"I remember the feeling when my dad taught me things. How excited I was, I couldn’t wait to teach Ian everything I had to offer. I miss and love you so much buddy," he continued.
According to court records, Paris initially faced a first-degree murder charge but it was later amended to second-degree murder. She pleaded no contest in February.