Hanif Sims Sentenced To 40 Years
A man accused of killing his 9-year-old daughter was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Hanif Sims pleaded guilty in January to child abuse resulting in death, a class 2 felony. According to 4th Judicial District Attorney Dan May, Sims said he did not seek medical attention for his child which could have saved her life.
At his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, Sims said, “I’m sorry. I tried my best, but I didn’t try hard enough. I wish I could go back and change things.” He received the maximum possible penalty.
Sims was initially supposed to face a first-degree murder trial. Instead, a plea deal was reached and Sims pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death.
Contractors digging in the Monument area found the body of Sims’ daughter, Genesis, in 2010. Sims’ girlfriend, Monique Lynch, pleaded guilty last summer to child abuse causing death. Lynch was sentenced to 27 years in a state prison. Lynch struck a deal with prosecutors to avoid first-degree murder charges. In exchange, she agreed to testify against Sims.
A judge considered throwing out the case against Sims because of evidence problems. The judge issued a scathing ruling saying, while the case would continue, “there are serious issues as to the credibility of two very senior investigators” — issues that he said could impact the entire case and lead to an acquittal.
District Attorney Dan May tells KRDO NewsChannel 13 that the plea deal for Sims was discussed with the mother of Genesis and she agreed it was a fair compromise.
May says all parties feel the plea deal is fair under the circumstances.
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