PULASKI COUNTY, MO – Angela West, 41, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for her involvement in the death of a 5-year-old girl. Pulaski County Judge John Beger imposed the sentence following West’s guilty plea to a charge of endangering the welfare of a child, resulting in death.
The tragic case involved the young victim being hogtied and gagged with a sock to prevent her from accessing food. West’s co-defendant, Shamira Buford, faces trial on June 10, 2024. Buford is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, child abuse or neglect, second-degree murder, and involuntary manslaughter.
Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Hillman described the case as one of the most tragic he has encountered in his thirteen years in the role, citing the prolonged and heinous nature of the acts committed against the child. Hillman praised Judge Beger’s decision to sentence West to life in prison, highlighting the severity of her role in the abuse and subsequent death of the child.
The Prosecutor’s Office also recognized the efforts of law enforcement in handling the case, noting the challenges presented by cases involving child fatalities. The conviction and life sentence were attributed to the professionalism and dedication of the law enforcement officials involved in the investigation.