Family of murdered Lynchburg toddler files $150 million lawsuit against city
LYNCHBURG, Va. โ The family of a Lynchburg toddler who was killed in 2018 is suing the Lynchburg Department of Social Services. 22-month-old Amarah Lane was killed by her mother Fantasia Lane, who pleaded guilty to her daughterโs death and sentenced to 23 years in prison. [Lynchburg woman sentenced to 23 years in prison for murder of infant daughter]The lawsuit was filed back in August by Amarahโs biological father, Brenten Woody, and his mother Sonya Woody in the Roanoke City Circuit Court. The defendants in the lawsuit include the Lynchburg Department of Social Services, the City of Lynchburg and the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Central Virginia. The Woodys are asking for $150 million for damages.
Family who lost infant to child abuse gives diaper bags to low-income parents in Roanoke
ROANOKE, Va. โ A family motivated by the pain of losing an infant gave joy to dozens of low-income parents. The Woody family dropped off a bundle of fully-loaded diaper bags at the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority on Friday. The bags will go to parents living in public housing. Thatโs all I can ever do, all a parent can ever do, is stay strong.โThursday would have been Amarahโs fourth birthday. Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority executive director David Bustamante said the diaper bags are needed among these communities.
Boyfriend found guilty for his role in abuse that led to Lynchburg toddler's death
LYNCHBURG, Va. - A judge found a Lynchburg man guilty for his involvement in the death of a 21-month-old girl. On Tuesday, Judge F. Patrick Yeatts found Maurice Tyrone Puryear guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in connection with the Aug. 16, 2018, death of Amarah Lane. Courtesy of Lynchburg PoliceA few days after Amarah's death, Puryear spoke with 10 News about this case. On Dec. 19, 2018, Amarah's mother, Fantasia Lane, pleaded guilty to felony homicide, child abuse causing serious injury and child endangerment. On Aug. 11, 2018, Fantasia Lane and Puryear, her live-in boyfriend, brought Amarah to Lynchburg General Hospital.