A 42-year-old man convicted of reckless manslaughter in the death of his former girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter in 1994 was sentenced to 10 years in prison yesterday. Young girl’s death brings
10-year prison sentenceStar-Bulletin staff
Circuit Judge Michael Town sentenced David Martinez to serve the three-year, four-month minimum mandatory sentence for causing the death of a child under 8 years old.
Martinez and his girlfriend, Dorothy Marie Faufata, were convicted July 13 for failing to seek timely medical care for the child, Natasha Faufata, who died March 21, 1994, from swelling to the brain caused by a loss of oxygen.
Natasha had cigarette burns on her hands and arm, and healed burns and a fracture on her left arm, as well as bruises to her forehead, temple and other parts of her body.
Martinez had claimed the child choked on a doughnut and that he rushed her to the Palolo Fire Station for help.
The prosecution's expert psychologist testified last week that Martinez was a danger to others because he had a propensity toward violence.
Martinez was also convicted of the first-degree assault of a former girlfriend and theft of a backhoe. He was sentenced yesterday to 10 years and five years, respectively, for those crimes. Town ordered the terms to run concurrently.