Riv. Co. mom and grandmother imprisoned for starving twin toddlers

A Murrieta woman who, with the help of her mother, starved and physically mistreated her 3-year-old twin boys was sentenced today to a two-year state prison term, as was her mother.

Courtney Lynn Stewart, 26, and Tammy Lynn Gay, 47, each pleaded guilty in February to child abuse with a sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegation. In exchange for their admissions, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office dropped a second child abuse charge with great bodily injury allegations against the pair.

“This was a very sad case,” Stewart’s attorney Robert Gazley told CBS Local 2’s Brooke Beare. “With respect to Miss Stewart, she was a sad lady in a sad place and unfortunately took the lead from mother.” Gazley did not elaborate further on their relationship, but added, “I hope (Stewart) does well as she moves forward with her life. She needs help and she’ll get it where she’s going.”

Gay’s attorney was not immediately available for comment.

Superior Court Judge Kelly Hansen imposed the sentences stipulated under the plea agreement.

Both Stewart and her mother will be sent to Chowchilla State Prison, where they will have to serve at least 20 months before they’re eligible for parole.

Spokesman for the Riverside County District Attorney’s office John Hall said both defendants each now have a “strike.”

“Based on the current state of the evidence, it was determined that this (sentence) is the best resolution in this case,” said Hall.

Stewart was arrested in November 2014 following a nearly monthlong investigation by Murrieta police. Gay was named a defendant in the case several weeks after her daughter’s arrest.

Prosecutors said the twins, whose names were not released, suffered abuse going back to December 2012.

According to Murrieta police, Stewart became the focus of an investigation on Nov. 7, 2014, after she took one of her sons to Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta. Hospital staff were alarmed by the child’s emaciated condition and several bruises uncovered during an examination, said Sgt. Phil Gomez.

He said the boy weighed less than 15 pounds and was determined to be suffering from malnutrition.

According to Gomez, Riverside County Child Protective Services workers took custody of the youngster, who was admitted for treatment and later transferred to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego for intensive pediatric care.

Murrieta police detectives visited Stewart’s residence and found the other twin “suffering from the same malnutrition,” as well as a broken jaw, according to Gomez.

County social workers had the boy admitted for medical treatment, after which he was placed with his brother in the care of a third party.

The twins were adopted by another family unrelated to Stewart and Gay, said Gazley. He did not know where they were living but said “They are doing so much better now.”

Hansen’s sentencing memorandum did not specify that the mother and grandmother are to be barred from seeing the twins, who are now 5 years old.

To report suspected child abuse in Riverside County, call 1-800-442-4918