SUNBURY - The father of a 1-year-old girl, who died from hyperthermia after being left in a room for 19 hours with a space heater two years ago in Sunbury, was sentenced Monday afternoon to serve 11 1/2 to 23 months in prison in connection with the infant's death.
Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage imposed the sentence on 29-year-old Lopaka Loner, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanors of endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. Loner received the jail sentence on the endangering offense, and was given 2 months consecutive probation on the recklessly endangering charge.
Loner, who was represented by Northumberland County Public Defender Edward Greco, also was ordered to pay $600 in fines and various costs, and given credit for 219 days previously served in Northumberland County Prison.
Sacavage told Loner his daughter's death was tragic and adversely affected many people. He offered the defendant an opportunity to address the court before imposing his sentence, but Loner told the judge he had nothing to say.
The sentence was within the standard range for the offenses, according to First Assistant District Attorney Ann Targonski, who prosecuted the case.
Loner, Bertha M. Dreese, 64, of Selinsgrove, and her daughter, Heidi S. Yocum, 30, of Lewisburg, were charged by Sunbury Officer Jamie Quinn about a year after the death of Anela Naloni Loner, who was the daughter of Loner and Yocum. Dreese and Yocum previously entered guilty pleas in the case and are awaiting sentencing.
Anela Naloni Loner was found dead Oct. 16, 2010, from hyperthermia after being left in a room for 19 hours with a space heater at 43 S. Seventh St., Sunbury, where Yocum and Loner resided at the time.
Police said Dreese had been babysitting the child and Yocum's two other children on Oct. 16. Police said Dreese arrived at the home at 1 p.m., but didn't check on the infant until the following morning.
Additionally, neither Yocum nor Loner checked on the child throughout the day, police said.
Authorities said the infant was not provided any food or water in the room that likely ranged in temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees.