A Sedgwick County judge has sentenced a Wichita man to life in prison for the murder of his eight-year-old daughter last year.
In March, 52-year-old Thomas Gatewood pleaded no contest to first degree murder, three counts of aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated endangering a child, and aggravated intimidation of a witness or victim.
Prosecutors said eight-year-old Jeanetta Gatewood was found unresponsive in the family home in the 600 block of North Oliver on May 8th, 2023. Thomas Gatewood was arrested after an investigation, and it was found that the daughter had a number of injuries and had bruises and scars. Another child was taken to a hospital and treated for injuries. Police said Gatewood had beaten and tortured the two children and kept them confined in the house.
Gatewood will not be eligible for parole for 843 months, which will be a little over 70 years.
