Prison for teen who injured toddler

By Jim Osborn josborn@columbustelegram.com
Sunday, Mar 09, 2008 - 12:12:26 am CST

COLUMBUS -- A Columbus teen who admitted shoving a 21-month-old boy into a wall and fracturing his skull in late-September was sentenced Friday in Platte County District Court to 12-16 years in prison.

Quincy Justus, 17, was convicted of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury in connection with the Sept. 30 incident in which the victim was rushed to Columbus Community Hospital suffering from a skull fracture and brain bleeding.

Justus, who will turn 18 March 22, was tried as an adult.

Justus and his former live-in girlfriend, TIffany Nickolite, 19, were each charged with child abuse in connection with the incident in which Nickolite’s then 21-month-old son was rushed to the hospital.

Nickolite, who is awaiting trial in the case, gave birth to her and Justus’ son Monday.

The victim, whose injuries included a depressed skull fracture, a fracture and bruises and contusions, is currently in foster care in Lincoln. He continues to undergo treatment at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital.

Child abuse is a Class III felony, punishable by a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, $25,000 fine or both and a minimum of one year imprisonment.

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Curious
Mar 10, 2008 12:50 PM
It is good to see the continued coverage of this case. However, I wonder why there was no coverage regarding the sentencing that was supposed to take place the same day, for Tricia Haas, one of the three women who were involved in the meth bust. Was she not sentenced as scheduled on Friday? Or did the Telegram just fail to report it?
desiree schrum
Mar 10, 2008 6:55 PM
well this really makes me pist that he and she did this to her child well its my sister that abused her
billy
Mar 11, 2008 2:16 PM
Quincy is a good kid who made a mistake 12to16 years was a lil much dont u think
Gone
Mar 11, 2008 3:29 PM
At least this animal will be away from society for a long time. Don't feel sorry for the criminal, fell sorry for the child that was abused.
smcrpntr54
Mar 11, 2008 5:37 PM
Wel for those that think this sentance was too harsh, Put yourself in the position that it was your child that was injured. Does that change the picture.
In my opinion, the mother is as much to blame as he was. She had to know he had a temper and couldn't handle a crying baby. She should have left or kicked him out for the safety of the child.
I don't have any sympathy for a woman that will not leave an abusive home or do something about it. I have seen it first hand with one of my sisters. The family, my family, intervened and got her out of there. As for the ex-husband he was lucky to go unscathed. She went on to meet someone better and raised here children in a better atmosphere. That's all it takes, to just get away and stay away.
no sympathy
Mar 11, 2008 9:24 PM
People want to feel sorry for Quincy and say his punishment is to harsh, what a joke. It should have been longer. He committed a cruel brutal crime. Do not say he is a good Kid, because good kids do not committ crimes of this nature. The good kid arguement went out the door when he caused brain trauma to a small child. Don't say he made a mistake because a mistake is not shoving a 21 month old into a wall causing his brain to bleed. I think somehow, someway, people should set up a trust fund of some sort to help this child, it is obvious he has no home structure. If anyone has any ideas, please post them.
SouthSideRes
Mar 11, 2008 9:59 PM
I'm NOT condoning what he did in any way, shape, or form. He messed up bad. Now some of you people are feeling good because he'll be locked up for 12-16 years. What's he going to be like when he gets out? After all, he's a kid his ownself. Prison will only make him worse than what he already is. Where do you think criminals get hardened?
hmmm,just thinking
Mar 11, 2008 11:09 PM
How can a sentence be too harsh,, when it resulted from the brutal treatment to a tiny, helpless human being? This poor sweet baby, will never be same, physically, mentally or emotionally. Hopefully, with the right, loving family, he will learn to trust, and feel safe again. Sad thing is that this is what his mother should have been providing for him. As a parent, you sacrifice your own life for your child. This mother obviously put her own needs before her childs by covering for Quincy and his "issues". Unacceptble. The sad thing is, that history usually repeats itself,, so unless there is some intervention, the "new" baby, at some point, will in all likelihood be exposed to the same situation. And so goes the cycle. Bottom line is if Quincy wanted to be "grown up" and be a "daddy",,he needs to be "grown up" and accept the punishment for his actions. And hopefully,,he will be able to make the most of the situation he put "himself" in,, and serve his time,, and become a better person for it. Yes, maybe 12 to 16 years may seem like a long time,, but wouldn't getting life be be worse, if it had been allowed to happen again,, and the little guy had died from the results of another "anger issue".
To southside
Mar 11, 2008 11:19 PM
Im' not happy about his sentence, I think it should be more, you are correct about prison making him more of a criminal, but this crime can not go unpunished. While rehab or therapy could be the answer, taking a chance I feel would be too risky and the end result next time could even be worse then what happened this time around. On a different note I think the prison system as a whole needs a total reconstruction. When it is easier to get drugs in prison then it is on the streets there is a problem.