Former Caretaker Convicted Of Third Degree Murder In 3-Year-Old's Torture Death

By Tony Hanson

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A 24-year-old West Philadelphia woman has been convicted of third degree murder and other offenses in the beating and burning death -- the torture death -- of her three-year-old godson in 2011. Her boyfriend pleaded guilty earlier, also to third degree murder in this horrific case.

Jaquinn Brewton's mother, Ashley, who says Nadera Batson was a friend caring for her son while she tried to get her life in order, was in court and reacted to the verdict.

"I wish it would have been first degree, instead of third degree," Brewton said. "But he still got justice in some type of way."

Prosecutor Bridget Kirn, who had argued for first degree, says she will argue for a sentence that still could keep Batson in prison for the rest of her life.

"She didn't show any emotion until she was convicted. The only person she ever cried for is herself."

Prosecutor Kirn says 25-year-old Marcus King admitted he hit little Jaquinn, but Nadera Batson, responsible for caring for the child, was the enforcer and she was relentless.

"She beat him every day," Kirn says. "A neighbor heard her beat him every morning. Her boyfriend said she beat him every night. She used her hands, she used belts, she used shoes, and most importantly, she also used a blowtorch."