SUPERIOR Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho on Friday sentenced Stacey Lani Edgar Laniyo to five years’ imprisonment, with the first four months and five days to be served and the remaining sentence suspended.
Judge Camacho also gave Laniyo, 37, credit for four months and five days already served, adding that she will be placed on probation for five years as part of the sentence.
The judge likewise ordered Laniyo to report to the Office of Adult Probation on the next business day upon her release from the Department of Corrections.
“The suspended sentence may be imposed in whole or in part for violation of law or rules of the Office of Adult Probation,” the judge said. “Defendant shall pay the statutory court cost of $25 and probation fees of $120 per year. No fine is imposed as defendant is indigent.”
In addition, Laniyo will serve 200 hours of community work service, which will not be converted to a fine, the judge said.
“Defendant shall be evaluated by the Community Guidance Center, and she shall complete any program or counseling recommended. Defendant shall not be alone or unsupervised with any minor child under the age of 13 years old during her probation period,” the judge added.
He said because Laniyo is a citizen of Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia, a “copy of this Sentencing Order shall be provided or placed in the box for the United States Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).”
Laniyo was represented by attorney Mark Scoggins who recommended a sentence of five years, all suspended except for four months and five days, with credit of four months and five days of time served.
The Office of the Attorney General recommended a sentence of five years, all suspended except for three years, a $2,000 fine to be suspended and counseling. Assistant Attorney General Coleen St. Claire prosecuted the case.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Camacho gave an opportunity for interested parties to address the court directly and not under oath so they could speak freely. One person spoke on behalf of the victim. Another person spoke on behalf of the defendant.
There were seven letters submitted to the court asking for leniency.
As for Laniyo, she declined to make a statement to the court “as advised by her counsel.”
Her motion for a new trial because of alleged “prosecutorial misconduct” was earlier denied by the court.
A jury found Laniyo guilty of one count of child abuse on June 24, 2021.
Her co-defendant, Lynn Fitial, 45, was charged in a separate case with child neglect for failing to provide medical treatment.
Fitial, who had been diagnosed with stage IV oral cancer, passed away on Aug. 3, 2021.
Fitial and Laniyo were arrested following the death of a 3-year-old boy in March 2020. The boy was an adopted son of Fitial and was in the care of Laniyo.
According to the prosecution, Laniyo struck the boy with a tree branch, a broom, or her hand or by biting him, “resulting in injury clearly beyond the scope of reasonable corporal punishment and harming or threatening the child’s physical or mental health and well-being.”
As for Fitial, the prosecution said she failed to provide medical care for the boy resulting in his death.
Assistant Attorney General Coleen St. Claire prosecuted the child-abuse case against Stacey Laniyo.
A Corrections officer escorts Stacey Laniyo out of a courtroom after her sentencing hearing on Oct. 15, 2021.
