Man sentenced to 60 years in prison for grandson's death

Joel Soto allowed 2-year-old boy to ingest deadly dose of meth: Trial testimony

A man was sentenced Monday to 60 years in prison for the death of his 2-year-old grandson.

Joel Soto, 53, was found guilty in June on charges of felony murder, injury to a child, drug possession and arson charges. He faced a maximum of life in prison.

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Related: Grandfather found guilty in death of 2-year-old grandson

According to trial testimony, Soto allowed his grandson, Jeremy, to ingest a lethal dose of methamphetamine in November 2013, and then set his truck on fire in an effort to hide the death.

Soto claimed the fire was caused by engine troubles that sparked a flash fire, prosecutors said. But experts testified that the fire started in the truck’s passenger side and was the result of gasoline poured into the cab and set on fire.

Dr. Kimberly Molina, deputy chief medical examiner, testified that the child was already dead when the truck was set on fire.

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About the Author

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.

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