DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park sentenced a homicide defendant to 41 years in prison for the death of her young daughter on Oct. 24.
Faneshia Scott, 38, was convicted of first-degree felony murder, first-degree cruelty to children, and second-degree cruelty to children for her involvement in the death and assault of her 16-month-old daughter, Rhythm Fields on the 5400 block of C Street, SE, on March 21, 2017.
The sentence came after an emotional hearing in which family members delivered impact statements and attorneys debated whether the punishment should exceed the mandatory minimum of 30 years. Prosecutors presented three statements from the victim’s paternal grandmother, godmother, and father. All expressed grief and forgiveness while emphasizing the life that Rhythm lost.
“Rhythm deserved to grow up with her brothers and sisters,” said her grandmother, adding tearfully, “I will never hear her call me grandma” and “I do forgive you… there’s no justice in this world to bring Rhythm back.”
She implored Scott to apologize, saying, “All we wanna hear is that you’re sorry.”
The godmother described Rhythm as “the light of our life,” and said she is “haunted by the last images of Rhythm.” She told the court, “I forgive you in my heart… you have not taken accountability,” and asked for a life sentence without parole.
Rhythm’s father also spoke, saying, “Not only did our kids lose their mom but their sister,” and, “I forgive you, I don’t hate you. Nothing’s gonna bring our daughter back.”
Prosecutors argued for a 51-year sentence—21 years above the 30-year minimum, adding an extra year for each rib the child suffered fractured. They emphasized that the case was not a typical felony murder but one involving repeated abuse toward multiple children.
The prosecution cited prior warnings to Scott from family, neighbors, and police, and described the conditions in which Rhythm was found, saying the child had been unattended and “left in a pack and play to die”.
Defense attorneys Megan Alburn and Steven Kiersh requested the minimum 30-year sentence, arguing that 51 years would effectively be a life sentence, releasing Scott at around age 80.
They noted the prosecution had previously offered a plea deal of 15 years, contending that 30 years should therefore suffice. The defense described Scott as a “God-fearing woman” who has been “a light” in her prison unit and a confidant to other women.
They said she will “grieve for the rest of her life” and asked that she be allowed to write to her surviving children, who could decide whether to have a relationship with her once they turn 18.
Scott’s parents were present in the courtroom. Before sentencing, Scott addressed the court through tears, asking for mercy and expressing her desire to maintain a relationship with her children.
Judge Park called the case “an unspeakable travesty” that everyone involved would carry with them. He noted that despite repeated warnings and offers of help from loved ones, the abuse persisted for weeks, ultimately leading to the child’s death. He acknowledged that Scott had no prior criminal history and found no evidence of intent to kill, but said the severity and duration of the abuse warranted a substantial sentence.
Judge Park said the defense’s argument regarding the earlier plea offer was not persuasive and emphasized that the sentence reflected the gravity of the evidence. The court’s stay-away order was dropped at the conclusion of the hearing, allowing Scott to reach out to the children’s grandmother, in her custody of, to decide if they can communicate with her.
The parties are not slated to reconvene.
