Woman sentenced to life in prison for premeditated murder of four-year-old in Shawnee County

TOPEKA, Kansas (WIBW) – A Shawnee County court sentenced a woman to life in prison for first-degree murder without the possibility of parole until she serves a 25-year sentence.

In addition, 24-year-old Mariann Belair was sentenced to six months in prison for serious endangerment of a child.

According to the Shawnee County District Attorney's Office, a four-day trial began on May 28, 2024. Jury deliberations lasted one hour and 21 minutes.

The jury found Belair guilty on the following counts:

• Count 1: First Degree Murder – Premeditated Murder
• Charge 2: Serious endangerment of a child – negligent

The Shawnee County District Attorney's Office said that on October 14, 2023, Shawnee County Emergency Services received a 911 call requesting assistance in the 400 block of NE Grattan.

When officers and emergency responders arrived at the scene, they found a child suffering from a gunshot wound. The child was later identified as LP-B., 4, and was pronounced dead shortly after the gunshot wound.

The Shawnee County District Attorney's Office said that upon further investigation, police discovered that Belair's children were in the living room with Belair prior to the shooting. Belair told officers that she retrieved a Sig Sauer P226 Legion 9mm semi-automatic pistol from upstairs and placed it on the downstairs sofa while she was there. As Belair's son was taking a photo with her daughter, he picked up the gun and shot it. Belair then placed the gun from the sofa into a drawer in the middle of a dresser in an adjacent room before police arrived on the scene. During a later search of the apartment, officers discovered the gun, as well as a bag of methamphetamine and paraphernalia in the drawer.

The Shawnee County District Attorney's Office said a sentencing date for Belair has not yet been set.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay praised the work of Assistant District Attorney Lauren Amrein as well as her litigation support team for prosecuting this case. He also praised the investigative work of the Topeka Police Department, particularly the officers who worked this case. Finally, Mr. Kagay praised the jury for their dedication.

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