Lee County grandmother sentenced to 25 years for grandson’s death

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A Lee County grandmother learned she’ll spend 25 years behind bars for her grandson’s death in October 2013.

Gale Watkins was convicted of manslaughter last month for doing nothing while her grandson was wrapped so tightly in blankets, he suffocated.

For the first time, Michael’s mother, Samantha McMullen, spoke about her son’s death and the struggle of everyday life without him. She talked talked about how much she misses her mother while she’s been in jail for her role in the three-year-old’s death.

She said, “With the loss of Michael, my family also suffered the loss of an amazing mother and grandmother. My mom, whom I love unconditionally, has been there for me through everything. My rock, my strong point you would call it. My mom has always been a loving, caring person. She was always there to help anyone who needed it. My mom has a different love for Michael, than most grandparents would for their grandchildren.”

Gale Watkins also spoke in court, calling Michael’s death a tragic accident. She said, “First I want to say no one feels more remorse than I do for the tragic accident that took Michael’s life…I’ve only cried tears for Michael and all of my family as this accident has left us all with losses of many kinds. Samantha most of all without her son, her husband, her friend and her mother. None of us have been able to mourn Michael’s death properly and to have a proper funeral.”

But Judge Bruce Kyle said Watkins was most responsible because Michael was left in her care. She was facing a maximum of 30 years in prison, and was sentenced to 25.

He said, “Every adult failed this child, and I do believe you were the most culpable. You were his guardian, you knew this was going on. It had gone on from a child previously before, and we’re not even allowed to treat prisoners of war like that-bind them to where they can’t move or breathe.”

Investigators say 3-year-old Michael McMullen’s godmother, Donella Trainor, is the one who bound him with blankets to make him stop crying. Watkins told investigators she asked Trainor to loosen the blankets, but didn’t stay in the room to make sure that happened.