Angel Montoya Gets Life In Prison For Killing Neveah Gallegos

DENVER (CBS4) - Angel Ray Montoya has been sentenced to life in prison without parole Tuesday for the death 3-year-old Neveah Gallegos.

Montoya, 27, was found guilty of first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death and abuse of a corpse.

Neveah's body was found in a ravine in Lakewood Dry Gulch in the 1100 block of Perry Street in September 2007.

Prosecutors made the case that Montoya strangled Neveah while he was babysitting.

"I believe that he's getting what he deserves," Neveah's grandmother Janet Gallegos said. "It's difficult for the family; and just for Neveah, she was my joy, I loved Neveah and I'm at peace now."

Miriam Gallegos, 25, is already serving a 12-year sentence for covering up the crime. She lied to police and said a red-haired man had abducted her daughter. She was giving Montoya time to hide the girl's body.

Montoya's attorney told the court she intends to appeal the conviction, saying he was innocent.