Tatianna J. Burns (Caddo Parish DA’s Office)
A 42-year-old foster mom in Louisiana will spend the rest of her days behind bars for killing an 18-month-old child in her care, shaking the victim to death for nearly an hour four years ago. Tatianna J. Burns on Friday was convicted on one count of second-degree murder in the brutal slaying of young Angel Wong, authorities announced.
As jurors were being chosen on Monday, Burns elected to exercise her right to a bench trial before District Court Judge Donald E. Hathaway, Jr., according to a news release from the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office. The trial began in earnest on Wednesday, with prosecutors and Burns’ attorney presenting their cases before Judge Hathaway deliberated and found her guilty of murder.
Prosecutors also said that another child had previously been removed from Burns’ care because Burns had “tortured the child.”
During the bench trial, prosecutors called 11 witnesses to prove that Burns shook Angel to death on June 5, 2020.
