Gainesville Couple Receives 30-Year Sentence for Child Neglect Leading to Toddler's Death and Another Child's Injury

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Donrea Avril McLaughlin, 23, and Sean D. Lee, 28, have been sentenced to 30 years in prison followed by five years of probation after pleading nolo contendere to charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm. Their sentencing follows the tragic death of McLaughlin's 3-year-old daughter.

The couple was arrested in Atlanta in September 2023 after the child was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. They have remained in the Alachua County Jail since their extradition from Atlanta. The incident came to light on September 1, 2023, when Gainesville Police Department officers and EMS were called to a location after a report of a three-year-old not breathing.

Upon investigation, McLaughlin claimed she had been napping and was awakened by Lee to find the child unresponsive. However, further inquiries revealed that the couple had left the child and her sibling unattended for approximately eight hours while they went to work, without making any childcare arrangements. When they returned home, they found the child unresponsive, and the sibling also required medical attention at a nearby hospital.

Detectives uncovered a history of abuse and neglect that significantly contributed to the tragic death of McLaughlin’s daughter and the injury of her sibling. Following their arrest in Atlanta, McLaughlin and Lee have faced serious charges resulting from their neglectful behavior.

Both individuals faced a maximum sentence of 35 years for their charges and have agreed to testify against each other as part of their plea agreement. Their case highlights the grave consequences of neglect and abuse, ultimately leading to a heartbreaking outcome for the young child.