A man and woman have been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in connection with the beating death of a three-year-old child in 2020.

Yalrick Zeonsha Pride, 23, and Blake Joshwell Townsend were sentenced Tuesday in the Aug. 20, 2020 death of Kaiden Garner. Pride was originally charged with aggravated child abuse, according to WHNT.

Garner was Townsend’s son.

A Lauderdale County jury found Pride guilty of felony murder-aggravated child abuse on Aug. 24.

Florence police were called to North Alabama Medical Center’s emergency room at 11:25 p.m. after Garner died in 2020.

Initially, his death was believed to be due to heat exposure. However, an autopsy indicated he died of blunt force trauma.

According to prosecutors, emergency responders said Garner’s body was cold and rigor mortis had already set in, as well as bruising.

Townsend pleaded guilty in December 2022 and was sentenced to life in prison in exchange for testifying against Pride. According to WHNT, Townsend reportedly asked the judge for a lesser sentence, but the request was denied.

Lauderdale County Chief Assistant District Attorney Angie Hamilton said Pride and Townsend “rode around smoking marijuana” while the child died from injuries in the backseat, according to testimony.