STATE : Prison Term in Starving of Baby

A Ridgecrest woman convicted of starving her infant daughter to death received a state prison term today of 15 years to life.

Tonnette Rae Lee, 29, was sentenced on a second-degree murder conviction in the Dec. 8, 1988, death of 2-month-old Janelle Lee.

The Kern County Superior Court jury also convicted the child’s father, James Lowell Lee, 38, but his sentencing was continued until April 16 by Judge Roger D. Randall.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Terry P. Pelton said the Lees were charged because the infant’s weight fell from 5 pounds, 6 ounces at birth on Oct. 1, 1988, to 3 pounds, 5 ounces when she died nine weeks later.

The defense argued that although forensic pathologist John E. Holloway testified that the baby died of malnutrition, he could not be sure whether something else contributed to the death--such as digestive problems or a birth defect.

Tonnette Lee said the couple discussed taking the baby to a doctor, but the husband held two jobs, and they had only one car and couldn’t afford doctor bills.