The 26-year-old Licking County woman was sentenced for the death of Alexander Stephens and the beating of his 6-year-old brother, Damyan. She pleaded guilty to murder and two counts of child endangering.
“You had two little boys, probably the only two human beings on the planet who loved you unconditionally. They trusted you to protect them, to look over them. You violated the greatest human trust that can be placed — the relationship between a young child and a parent,” Judge Stephens said.
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Hawkins-Stephens wore a cross around her neck, stared straight ahead and showed no emotion while standing before Judge Stephens. She said she had nothing to say before sentencing.
The judge noted in the pre-stentence investigation that Hawkins-Stephens continued to minimize her part in the murder, stating she hit Alexander with a switch but not enough to really hurt him. Judge Stephens said he did not believe her.
Hawkins-Stephens must serve a mandatory 15 years before being considered for parole. Judge Stephens said he will do everything in his power to make sure Hawkins-Stephens does not get that parole, even if he has to drive to the hearing himself.
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Michael Stephens, grandfather of the boys, told the judge his family had offered to help Hawkins-Stephens with the care of the boys, but they were rebuffed. The grandfather called Hawkins-Stephens “selfish with no remorse.”
The mother did not want want to take care of her children, Michael Stephens said.
“She tried to starve them to death, when that wasn’t quick enough for her, she tried to beat them to death,” Michael Stephens said.
Last week Rachel Bostian, 29, who also pleaded guilty to murder and two counts of child endangering, was sentenced to 18 years to life by Judge Stephens.
Ramona Bostian, Rachel's mother, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice.
Rachel Bostian and Hawkins-Stephens tied up Alexander for about 22 hours on April 26 and, according to prosecutors, “severely” beat the boy on his head and body.
The Stephens boys were sleeping in a tent near the Great Miami River with their mother and her two friends, who told police they came to the area looking for work.
According to court documents, the two boys were tied up with blankets for “stealing food.”
Michael Stephens said his surviving grandson is being cared for by the family and is having a tough time recovering.
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