CASSOPOLIS — Emotions ran high Friday morning in Cass County Circuit Court with the sentencing of Lance Reeves for the death of his 2-year-old stepdaughter. The girl died in October 2016 and Reeves was arrested in January for her death.

Reeves, who turned 47 Friday, pleaded no contest earlier to charges of second-degree child abuse and manslaughter and was sentenced Friday to concurrent terms of five to 10 years in prison for child abuse and six to 15 years in prison for manslaughter. He has credit for 274 days already served and must pay $1,826 in fines and costs.

Reeves last lived on Pearl Street in St. Joseph before his arrest. This incident occurred Oct. 19, 2016, at a home in Silver Creek Township near Dowagiac. Reeves and the child’s mother rushed 2-year-old Savannah to the hospital where she later died from a broken back and other injuries. Reeves reportedly told a friend that he was afraid he had killed her.

Both of Savannah’s grandfathers spoke before the sentencing.

“She was a small, frail 2-year-old. She loved Minnie Mouse and would bring me book after book to read to her,” said James Stevens. “She had a loving family which makes it even more tragic. … She met Lance in February 2016 and was killed in October 2016. She went from a loving family to a monster who abused her to death. She was unable to tell us the pain she was going through.”

Richard Baker, Savannah’s other grandfather, shared Stevens’ pain.

“I lost a child, but losing my beautiful granddaughter was more painful,” he said. “No words can describe the pain and loss we’ve experienced. … While no one can take our beautiful memories, we have been robbed of creating new ones. We keep asking why this happened. It’s not fair.”

“This was simply wrong and criminal,” Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said. “Her family shouldn’t have had to face this. She was literally broken in half. This was not accidental. … The violence perpetuated was overwhelming. The doctor said the injury created paralysis and quick death.”

Fitz and both grandfathers noted that Reeves is a decorated military veteran, but said that should not result in a more lenient sentence.

“Having a military background is not a get out of jail free card. It’s the exact opposite,” Fitz said. “A military man would not do this.”

Reeves and his attorney, Paul Jancha, painted a much different picture of what happened. Jancha said Reeves and the girl’s mother had been away from the house right before discovered the little girl injured and then rushed her to the hospital.

“He was a stay-at-home dad and there’s no indication he did anything to hurt the child,” he said.

“I’ve sat in jail trying to think exactly how this happened,” Reeves said. “I’ve done everything in my life to not be here. I was in foster care and my biological family was always in court. I did everything to not be that way. I am a decorated veteran. I have stood up to protect the innocent. … I’m sorry this happened. I don’t know what happened but I take responsibility. I feel like I let a lot of people down. I am as lost as they are.”

“There are no winners today, only losers,” Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman said. “… The only question is why and how this happened. You say you have no recollection of harming her, but that you’re sorry if you did anything.”