Bailey Bettinson and Tevin Medina are a couple from Wyoming who have been charged with manslaughter in the death of a nine month old infant
According to police reports the body of a nine month old infant, Renzamae Medina, was found in a home in Wyoming that was filled with trash. Renzamae Medina was rushed to the hospital where she would pass away from her injuries
After a length investigation that included an autopsy that showed that the little girl diaper rash was so severe that it was eroded into her flesh. The autopsy could not find the actual cause of death but it was possible the little girl was suffocated
Bailey Bettinson and Tevin Medina were ultimately arrested and have been charged with manslaughter and child abuse charges
Bailey Bettinson and Tevin Medina News
The parents of an infant who died last October have been arrested and charged with manslaughter and child abuse.
Tevin Medina and Bailey Bettinson were taken into custody Tuesday, March 26, after Uinta County Attorney Loretta Howieson Kallas filed charges Monday, and remain in the Uinta County Detention Center at this time. If convicted, they face up to 20 years for manslaughter and up to another 10 for child abuse.
Nine-month-old Renezmae Medina was found dead at her home, located at 215 Feather Way (Rocky Point Apartments), around 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 20, 2023. Born on Jan. 16, 2023, the infant was celebrated as the first baby born in Uinta County last year.
Medical staff performing an abuse and neglect screening at Evanston Regional Hospital found “unexplained bruising in the ‘peri area,’” court documents state. The peri area includes tissue that makes up the bottom of the pelvic cavity.
Investigators also allegedly found large abrasions around the victim’s vaginal area, the right buttock and right leg. Medical staff told investigators the abrasions were from diaper rash so extensive that “the rash appeared to be entering into the flesh as well as the skin,” according to court documents.
An autopsy performed on Oct. 23, 2023, by state medical examiner Randall Frost, could not determine a cause of death “but could not rule out an asphyxia death.” Frost recommended further investigation.
According to an affidavit filed in support of arrest and signed by Evanston Police Det. Scott Faddis, investigators found the house to be covered in filth — pet urine and feces not only on the floors, but the walls, rotting food, a soiled diaper with exposed feces atop a pile of trash.
The state also alleges the children in the home at the time (the infant victim and Tevin Medina’s 3-year-old stepdaughter) were exposed to other dangers, such as a pointed steak knife on the children’s bedroom floor next to dried vomit, an unsheathed hunting knife exposed on top of a clothes dryer and Medina’s tattoo gun and needles within reach of the young children.
According to court documents, the stench of the apartment was so bad, detectives had to take breaks for fresh air while processing the scene and a neighbor allegedly said she can smell the odors from outside the apartment.
The day Renezmae was found dead, Medina’s stepdaughter was taken into protective custody by the Wyoming Department of Family Services “because of the filthy unsafe living conditions of the defendant’s residence,” the affidavit states.
An Evanston officer responded to apartment more than a month before Renezmae’s death. According to court documents, EPD was dispatched to the residence to assist the apartment’s management with an inspection of the apartment. Management had complained of bad living conditions for the children, the affidavit states.
“The residence was littered with animal feces, rotten odors, mold, clothes and many other dirty items,” court documents state. Management also provided EPD with photos, which were sent to DFS, along with the incident report.
According to the affidavit, DFS worked cases concerning the living conditions at the home a year earlier — on Sept. 6, 2022, and then on Sept. 21, 2022 — before Renezmae was born.
It wasn’t immediately clear when Bailey Bettinson and Tevin Medina will be in court but, unless they waive it, they will each have a preliminary hearing in Uinta County Circuit Court, where Judge Michael L. Greer will determine whether there’s enough evidence to move the cases to Third District Court, where felonies are prosecuted.
Arthur Andrew Nelson is a man from Tennessee who has been charged in a fatal car crash that has left five young people dead. According to police reports Arthur Andrew Nelson was driving the wrong way down a Wyoming on Interstate 80 when he triggered a fatal crash. Arthur Andrew Nelson would collide with a FedEx truck and a Infiniti SUV. A commercial truck attempted to avoid the collision and crossed the median and would strike a Ford F-150 which had five people from Arkansas inside. The Ford F-150 would burst into flames killing the five people inside.
Arthur Andrew Nelson who was high on meth has been charged with Two counts of reckless endangerment — one involving a FedEx truck driver and one involving three people in a passenger car. One count of reckless driving. One count of driving the wrong way on a divided highway. One count of driving under a suspended license. Five felony aggravated homicide by vehicle due to a DUI. A sixth felony charge is for a DUI with serious bodily injury.
The five people from Arkansas have been returning from a Bible college in Jackson Hole Wyoming. They have been identified as Susana “Suzy” Prime, 18, Ava Luplow, 18, Andrea Prime, 23; Salomon Correa, 21; and Maggie Franco, 20
From top left, clockwise, Ava Luplow, Salomon Correa, Andrea Prime, Magdalene Franco and Susana “Suzy” Prime
Arthur Andrew Nelson More News
A Tennessee man has been charged with 11 crimes, including six felonies, in relation to the car crash that killed five Arkansans in Wyoming on Sunday night.
Arthur Andrew Nelson, 57, of Limestone, Tenn., was charged Wednesday when he made his first appearance in the Carbon County Circuit Court.
The felony charges against Nelson include five for felony aggravated homicide by vehicle due to a DUI. A sixth felony charge is for a DUI with serious bodily injury.
Nelson was also charged with five misdemeanors.
Those include:
• Two counts of reckless endangerment — one involving a FedEx truck driver and one involving three people in a passenger car.
• One count of reckless driving.
• One count of driving the wrong way on a divided highway.
• One count of driving under a suspended license.
The five people killed in the crash were friends connected to Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood as well as Faith Bible Fellowship Church in North Little Rock.
Two of them — Susana “Suzy” Prime, 18, and Ava Luplow, 18 — were current students at the high school. The others — Andrea Prime, 23; Salomon Correa, 21; and Maggie Franco, 20 — were former students.
The group of five were on their way back to Arkansas after visiting Jackson Hole Bible College in Jackson Hole, Wyo.
The ensuing accident was the deadliest car crash in Wyoming since at least 2019, according to data available from the state’s Department of Transportation.
According to charging documents, the multicar car crash happened at mile marker 219 on Interstate 80 east of Rawlins, Wyo., which is roughly 280 miles southeast of Jackson Hole.
At 6:52 p.m Sunday, the Wyoming Highway Patrol was notified of a vehicle driving the wrong way on I-80. Six minutes later, they received a report of the ensuing crash.
According to the highway patrol, based on a preliminary investigation, the vehicle — a Dodge Ram 3500 driven by Nelson [and registered to him in West Jordan, Utah] — was traveling in the wrong direction. Nelson collided with a FedEx truck and the Infiniti SUV.
As Nelson’s truck collided with the passenger car, the driver of an MS Freight truck attempted to avoid Nelson by swerving across the median and into the eastbound lanes. It was then that it collided head-on with the Ford F-150 occupied by the group from Arkansas.
According to the highway patrol, the MS Freight truck slowly caught fire and the Ford F-150 was immediately engulfed in flames.
One of the Arkansans, Ava Luplow, had been ejected from the truck and was the first victim identified by authorities.
When Nelson was questioned at the scene, he reportedly told troopers that he had been on his way to Tennessee from Utah.
Further investigation at the scene revealed Nelson had been driving under a suspended license due to a previous DUI.
After being taken to a local hospital, Nelson reportedly told troopers that he had taken methamphetamine the day before.
When a trooper told Nelson he should not have been driving, Nelson reportedly responded, “that’s a lesson to be learned.”
Nelson is being held on $500,000 bond. He has a probable cause hearing scheduled for Feb. 1 at 3:30 p.m. local time.
If probable cause is found, the case will then go to district court for final disposition.
According to the charging documents, the maximum sentence for felony aggravated homicide by vehicle is 20 years or a fine of $10,000.
The maximum for a DUI with a controlled substance with serious bodily injury is 10 years and a fine between $2,000 and $5,000.
Phil Prime, the father of Suzy and Andrea Prime, was interviewed by the Wyoming newspaper Cowboy State Daily.
Prime told the outlet that one of his daughters had a feature on her phone that would send out an alert if she were in a suspected car crash.
Prime received that alert on his iPhone Sunday night.
The alert “was all the information we had for about six hours or so,” Prime said. “That was it until we got confirmation from the police.”
Prime said he forgave Nelson for his alleged actions in the wreck that killed his daughters.
“I would love to have five minutes with him, to share the gospel, to tell him I forgive him,” Prime said. “I could wish him the worst, but he’s already going to get that.
“What can I say or do to that person that would actually help me or my family? Nothing. I’m not going to cry for 100 years in jail. That’s not going to do anything for my kids.”
The Prime sisters had both worked at The Humble Crumb Bakery in Sherwood.
The bakery announced on its Facebook page Tuesday that it would close for two weeks “while we process, remember, praise, rebuild, and rest.”
“Our lives are forever changed and the bakery will continually feel this void,” the post added. “Our small team lost two of our own, two of our gems, on Sunday.”
Faith Bible Fellowship Church announced Tuesday there would be a combined funeral service held for the crash victims.
It will be at 10 a.m. on Feb. 4 at the Sylvan Hills High School Performing Arts Center.
The visitation will be held Feb. 3 from 5-7 p.m. at the church.
James Wiley was fifteen years old when he would murder his stepmother and three younger stepbrothers in Thermopolis Wyoming. According to court documents James Wiley would grab a shotgun and shoot his stepmother and two younger stepbrothers. The third stepbrother attempted to flee from the house however Wiley would grab the elementary student and drag him back in the home, reload the shotgun and shoot the child in the head. James would then attempt to burn the house down.
In court James Wiley would plead guilty to four counts of murder and would be sentenced to life in prison without parole. This teen killer would attempt to get his sentence reduced however the court was not hearing it and dismissed the appeal.
James Wiley 2023 Information
Name:
Wiley , James Michael
WDOC Inmate Number:
16047
Status:
Inmate
Projected Discharge Date:
N/A
Parole Eligibility Date:
N/A
Correctional Facility/Office of Supervision:
Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution 7076 Road 55 F Torrington WY 82240 (307) 532-3198
Current Offense:
1st Degree Murder
Counts:
3
Sentence Date:
12/2/1991
Length of Sentence:
Life
Sentencing County:
Converse
Consecutive Sentence:
Yes. Consecutive sentence information will be displayed at the time the consecutive sentence goes into effect.
Current Offense:
2nd Degree Murder
Counts:
1
Sentence Date:
12/2/1991
Length of Sentence:
Life
Sentencing County:
Converse
Consecutive Sentence:
James Wiley Other News
A hearing scheduled for June 26 in Hot Springs District Court regarding the sentence of James Wiley has been cancelled, following the dismissal of Wiley’s motion to correct an illegal sentence.
In his motion, James Wiley alleged that the sentence imposed on him as a juvenile violated established constitutional standards. Special Deputy Hot Springs County Attorney Michael Blonigen filed a response to Wiley’s motion, arguing that his sentence does not constitute one of life without parole and that he would be also ineligible for parole due to an escape attempt. Blonigen further requested summary disposition of Wiley’s pending motion.
Though no formal court order was available at press time, Blonigen confirmed last week that the court did, in fact, grant his motion to summarily dispose of Wiley’s motion, based on the grounds and argument presented by Blonigen.
According to background on the case, on November 24, 1990, James Wiley killed his stepmother, Becky Wiley, and his stepbrothers Tyrone, Willie and Jessie; all three boys were in elementary school. Wiley killed them in the family home with a shotgun. The last boy was wounded and ran outside, but Wiley pulled him back into the house and shot him in the head, reloading the shotgun to do so. Wiley then attempted to burn the house down in order to eliminate evidence.
James Wiley entered his guilty plea on Dec. 2, 1991, admitting he thought about the killings in advance and that he attempted to burn the house down.
Shortly after the incident, Wiley was arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder, first-degree arson and a burglary that took place the night before the murders. In his plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree murder and first-degree arson. The burglary was dismissed.
He was sentenced to life, as required by law, on the counts of first-degree murder and 20 years to life on the second-degree murder charge. The sentences were ordered served concurrently. On the arson charge he was sentenced to 18-20 years, served consecutively to the murder sentence. The sentence was deemed by the judge to commence on Nov. 24, 1990; Wiley was 15 at the time.
The history goes on to note Michael’s problems while in confinement, including his escaping from the Wyoming State Penitentiary when he was 20. He was subsequently convicted on the escape charge and given an additional sentence by the Second Judicial District Court of Carbon County.
On June 17, 2013, Wiley filed the motion to correct illegal sentence, alleging the imposed sentence was unconstitutional. His claim rests on the claim that a life sentence without parole was declared unconstitutional except under special circumstances, when the convicted offender is under the age of 18 at the time of his or her crimes. That principle was extended to include long-term sentences that are the functional equivalent of life without parole.
In Wyoming the principles were adopted and applied retroactively to existing sentences subject to collateral attack. The Wyoming Supreme Court further held a statute, which provides for parole after 25 years on any life sentence on offenders who committed their offense, applied retroactively.
Wiley’s life sentence was converted to life with parole after 25 years, by operation of law. It’s argued in Blonigen’s motion that no further action was required, and the court made clear the ability for the parole board to grant parole is based on current law governing parole, with no reference to as to when sentence was imposed.
“With the stroke of a pen,” Bolingen argues, “[Wiley] was made eligible for parole after 25 years — 6.25 years for each innocent person he slaughtered.” Therefore, the life sentence imposed on him cannot be an illegal sentence.
The motion further argues that sentences received by Wiley must be considered in the aggregate, meaning consecutive sentences result in the functional equivalent of a life sentence. Present sentences require Wiley to serve 18-20 years consecutive to the sentences imposed for murder. That sentence could be modified by application of statutory good time. Based on those rules, the average inmate serves only two-thirds of the minimum sentence, or 12 years in Wiley’s case.
At the end of 12 years, Wiley’s net sentence would be 37 years; he would be 52 years old upon release. In a country where life expectancy for white males exceeds 70 years, Blonigen argued, that cannot be deemed the functional equivalent of a life sentence. Even at the full minimum sentence, he would be 58 when released, and at the maximum he would be 60. If the resulting sentence is not a “de facto” life sentence, Blonigen stated, it cannot be deemed illegal.
Based on facts presented, Blonigen argued there is no reason to have a lengthy hearing as the imposed sentence simply doesn’t amount to life without parole under current law, and there is no need for further hearing unless the court finds the existing sentence is equivalent to life without parole.
If the court does find the sentence is equivalent to life without parole, a new sentencing hearing is necessary.
Blonigen further argued that Wiley’s case is unique because regardless of the court’s ruling, he would not be parole-eligible because of his escape when he was 20, as there are no provisions that require parole be granted despite behavior while incarcerated.
Blonigen noted that, under Wyoming Statute 7-13-402, a prisoner is not eligible for parole on a sentence if, while serving the sentence, he or she escaped, attempted to escape or assisted others to escape. Under this statute, Wiley is prevented from ever being paroled on the life sentence he was serving when he tried to escape. He can challenge parole board actions, but not through current proceedings, and discussion of whether the existing sentence is equivalent to life without parole is moot without foundation or effect.
James Wiley is currently incarcerated at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution
James Wiley Release Date
James Wiley is serving a life sentence
James Wiley Photos
James Wiley Other News
A hearing scheduled for June 26 in Hot Springs District Court regarding the sentence of James Wiley has been cancelled, following the dismissal of Wiley’s motion to correct an illegal sentence.
In his motion, James Wiley alleged that the sentence imposed on him as a juvenile violated established constitutional standards. Special Deputy Hot Springs County Attorney Michael Blonigen filed a response to Wiley’s motion, arguing that his sentence does not constitute one of life without parole and that he would be also ineligible for parole due to an escape attempt. Blonigen further requested summary disposition of Wiley’s pending motion.
Though no formal court order was available at press time, Blonigen confirmed last week that the court did, in fact, grant his motion to summarily dispose of Wiley’s motion, based on the grounds and argument presented by Blonigen.
According to background on the case, on November 24, 1990, James Wiley killed his stepmother, Becky Wiley, and his stepbrothers Tyrone, Willie and Jessie; all three boys were in elementary school. Wiley killed them in the family home with a shotgun. The last boy was wounded and ran outside, but Wiley pulled him back into the house and shot him in the head, reloading the shotgun to do so. Wiley then attempted to burn the house down in order to eliminate evidence.
Wiley entered his guilty plea on Dec. 2, 1991, admitting he thought about the killings in advance and that he attempted to burn the house down.
Shortly after the incident, Wiley was arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder, first-degree arson and a burglary that took place the night before the murders. In his plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree murder and first-degree arson. The burglary was dismissed.
He was sentenced to life, as required by law, on the counts of first-degree murder and 20 years to life on the second-degree murder charge. The sentences were ordered served concurrently. On the arson charge he was sentenced to 18-20 years, served consecutively to the murder sentence. The sentence was deemed by the judge to commence on Nov. 24, 1990; Wiley was 15 at the time.
The history goes on to note Michael’s problems while in confinement, including his escaping from the Wyoming State Penitentiary when he was 20. He was subsequently convicted on the escape charge and given an additional sentence by the Second Judicial District Court of Carbon County.
On June 17, 2013, Wiley filed the motion to correct illegal sentence, alleging the imposed sentence was unconstitutional. His claim rests on the claim that a life sentence without parole was declared unconstitutional except under special circumstances, when the convicted offender is under the age of 18 at the time of his or her crimes. That principle was extended to include long-term sentences that are the functional equivalent of life without parole.
In Wyoming the principles were adopted and applied retroactively to existing sentences subject to collateral attack. The Wyoming Supreme Court further held a statute, which provides for parole after 25 years on any life sentence on offenders who committed their offense, applied retroactively.
Wiley’s life sentence was converted to life with parole after 25 years, by operation of law. It’s argued in Blonigen’s motion that no further action was required, and the court made clear the ability for the parole board to grant parole is based on current law governing parole, with no reference to as to when sentence was imposed.
“With the stroke of a pen,” Bolingen argues, “[James Wiley] was made eligible for parole after 25 years — 6.25 years for each innocent person he slaughtered.” Therefore, the life sentence imposed on him cannot be an illegal sentence.
The motion further argues that sentences received by Wiley must be considered in the aggregate, meaning consecutive sentences result in the functional equivalent of a life sentence. Present sentences require James Wiley to serve 18-20 years consecutive to the sentences imposed for murder. That sentence could be modified by application of statutory good time. Based on those rules, the average inmate serves only two-thirds of the minimum sentence, or 12 years in Wiley’s case.
At the end of 12 years, James Wiley’s net sentence would be 37 years; he would be 52 years old upon release. In a country where life expectancy for white males exceeds 70 years, Blonigen argued, that cannot be deemed the functional equivalent of a life sentence. Even at the full minimum sentence, he would be 58 when released, and at the maximum he would be 60. If the resulting sentence is not a “de facto” life sentence, Blonigen stated, it cannot be deemed illegal.
Based on facts presented, Blonigen argued there is no reason to have a lengthy hearing as the imposed sentence simply doesn’t amount to life without parole under current law, and there is no need for further hearing unless the court finds the existing sentence is equivalent to life without parole.
If the court does find the sentence is equivalent to life without parole, a new sentencing hearing is necessary.
Blonigen further argued that Wiley’s case is unique because regardless of the court’s ruling, he would not be parole-eligible because of his escape when he was 20, as there are no provisions that require parole be granted despite behavior while incarcerated.
Blonigen noted that, under Wyoming Statute 7-13-402, a prisoner is not eligible for parole on a sentence if, while serving the sentence, he or she escaped, attempted to escape or assisted others to escape. Under this statute, Wiley is prevented from ever being paroled on the life sentence he was serving when he tried to escape. He can challenge parole board actions, but not through current proceedings, and discussion of whether the existing sentence is equivalent to life without parole is moot without foundation or effect.
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