BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Bakersfield man will spend 25 years to life behind bars, after he was convicted of killing a three-year-old boy in 2011.
27-year-old Dustin Wedel was found guilty last month of second degree murder and child abuse in the death of James Fanshier.
On Friday, Wedel's family told 17 News he didn't kill the toddler and that justice wasn't served.
"He's not a monster. I'm a mother whose son just got sentenced to life," said Donna Castilleja, Wedel's mother.
Castilleja cried the whole time in court, while her son Dustin Wedel learned his fate, nearly three years after killing James Fanshier.
"My heart goes out to them that he committed these crimes and that they're having to deal with the aftermath. It's a tragedy for everyone," said Deputy District Attorney Andrea Kohler.
Investigators said the boy had broken ribs, a broken arm, and bruising all over his body.
According to the coroner, Fanshier died of multiple blunt force injuries.
"We loved that baby. My son loved that baby. The Christmas before he passed he said 'mom don't buy me any presents, buy them for James and the other kids.' Does that sound like someone who can hurt a child?," said Castilleja.
During Friday's sentencing, an emotional Wedel teared up as Judge Kenneth Twisselman read his sentence.
Wedel's family says he didn't kill Fanshier and shouldn't be behind bars.
"If I had thought that my son could do something like this, I would say yes, lock him up. But, never in a million years would he hurt a child. So justice was not done today. Whoever hurt that baby is out there to hurt more babies," continued Castilleja.
But, Kohler says all the evidence pointed to Wedel.
"I believe that justice was served in this case. I believe that when you do something like that to a small child, that you should go to prison for the rest of your life."
Judge Twisselman denied probation with sentencing because he called Wedel an extreme danger to the community.