The killer of a 3-year-old girl received a 60-year sentence Wednesday in Baltimore City Circuit Court.
Judge Allen Schwait sentenced Erik Stoddard, 26, of Baltimore, to 60 years in prison for second-degree murder and child abuse that resulted in death.
A Baltimore City jury convicted Stoddardon March 9 of killing Calen Faith Dirubbo.
On June 15, 2002, Calen was pronounced dead at her home, where she lived with her mother and Stoddard, prosecutors said. Calen died as a result of multiple beatings over a period of at least a month. The fatal blow occurred June 15, 2002, and severed her bowel, according to prosecutors, who said they proved Stoddard was the only person who had custody of Calen when the fatal blow occurred.
This was the second trial on the same charges for Stoddard.
On Dec. 8, 2005, the Maryland Court of Appeals vacated Stoddard?s 2004 conviction for the crime, citing evidentiary issues regarding hearsay testimony.
Julie Drake, an assistant state?s attorney, said Stoddard was “one of the most dangerous people” she has ever prosecuted.
“He needs to be in prison as long as possible,” she said.
