Father doesn't object to son's murder at South LA motel

A man pleaded no contest Thursday to involuntary manslaughter and child abuse charges in connection with the death of his 1 1/2-year-old son, who was found lifeless in a South Los Angeles motel in July 2021.

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Shane Zachary Flowers, now 26, was immediately sentenced to 28 years and eight months in state prison, according to Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Hatami.

Flowers was originally charged with murder and assault on a child involving his son, identified by authorities as Dee'ago Alexander Jones.

In addition to the involuntary manslaughter charge, Flowers pleaded no contest to six counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to result in serious bodily injury or death.

The toddler was transported by the Los Angeles Fire Department in “medical distress” from the 5600 block of South Western Avenue and was pronounced dead at the hospital on July 13, 2021, police said.

An autopsy subsequently determined the boy died of blunt trauma, which was ruled a homicide, according to County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner records.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Flowers was arrested by police in Torrance the next day before being charged by Los Angeles police in connection with the boy's death.

He has been behind bars ever since, prison records show.

The prosecutor noted that “nothing can bring Dee'Ago back,” but said that the boy's mother and family, as well as the LAPD detectives who worked on the case, “were pleased with the lengthy sentence and that justice was finally served.” “Sufficient has been done.”

According to the deputy district attorney, the defendant waived his right to appeal.

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