Spirit Lake, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – A 29-year-old man from Tokio, North Dakota, has been sentenced to 33 years in federal prison for the death and what prosecutors described as “months and months of torture” of his 3-year-old daughter.
Austin Ray Lester received the sentence on Tuesday, August 5, from U.S. District Judge Peter Welte, who imposed more than double the prison term requested in a plea agreement. Lester previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, assault, and two counts of child neglect in the August 27, 2022, death of Ariana McKay.
Judge Welte said, “She should be playing in a sandbox on this day. Instead, she was put in a coffin and buried.”
According to court records, Ariana was in the care of Lester and his live-in girlfriend, 37-year-old Krissy Louise Hinsley, for eight months prior to her death. On the day she died, emergency responders found her unresponsive in the basement of Lester’s home, with two open bottles of acetaminophen nearby. Investigators could not determine whether she ingested a large amount at once or smaller amounts over time, but prosecutors said early medical intervention could have saved her life.
Living conditions were described as deplorable—Ariana’s “bed” was a concrete floor soiled with animal waste, next to an unclean litter box and maggots. Prosecutors said she was often denied food, locked away, and not allowed to play outside her room. Lester admitted to hitting her with a back scratcher and giving her cold medicine to make her sleep.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Conroy called his actions “akin to torture,” noting that Lester and Hinsley frequently left the child alone while using drugs.
Hinsley, who prosecutors say did nothing to help, was sentenced last week to 10 years in prison for two counts of child neglect.
Lester faced a possible life sentence but had reached a plea deal recommending 15 years. Judge Welte exceeded that recommendation, stating there were “no words” to adequately describe the cruelty Ariana endured.
Before sentencing, Lester said, “I deserve to go to prison.” He was immediately taken into custody.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.