Christal Lane Death; – A woman from Nash County entered a guilty plea on Friday for the murder of her 8-year-old granddaughter.
According to WRAL, Patricia Ricks was charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse in February 2023 following the tragic death of her granddaughter, Christal Lane. During the court proceedings on Friday, Ricks, who is now 74 years old, was informed that she faces a mandatory life sentence in prison.
The grandmother appeared visibly distressed in court and found it difficult to come to terms with her plea. WRAL News interviewed her attorney, who remarked, “It’s emotionally troubling for her, but I have no doubt she knows what she is doing … it is just hard for her because this is the death of a child and the death of her grandchild.”
In the courtroom, Ricks reiterated her belief that the incident was accidental, stating, “I love all of my grandkids. I took those kids; their mama and daddy didn’t want them.” Arrest warrants indicate that the girl succumbed to severe blunt force trauma to her head and body in 2023, having passed away before reaching the hospital.
