A North Carolina mother has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after being found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of her two-year-old daughter, Macy Grace Ditty. Jeanie Kassandra Ditty was also convicted of felonious child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury.
Macy Grace Ditty was rushed to Cape Fear Valley Regional Medical Center on December 2, 2015, with extensive bruising, according to prosecutors. Medical staff determined the child had suffered at least 40 separate physical blows within a 24-hour period. Macy died two days later. Her mother was arrested and charged in 2016.
About a month after Macy's death, Ditty contacted a photographer to arrange an "after life" photoshoot, which would digitally add images of the deceased child to photos with her mother. The photographer, Sunny Jo, told investigators that Ditty claimed her daughter had choked on a banana, leading to seizures and ultimately death. Jo, who had offered the package for free after hearing about Macy's death, shared this information with police. Ditty turned herself in to authorities in March 2016.
Ditty's live-in boyfriend at the time, Zachary Keefer, was also initially charged, but his charges were dismissed in November 2020. Investigators determined he was not present during the abuse.
Her first trial in 2020 resulted in a hung jury. During the subsequent trial, 16 witnesses testified, including medical professionals and individuals who had attempted to intervene after observing Ditty's aggressive behavior towards Macy. After less than three hours of deliberations, the jury found her guilty.
During the sentencing hearing, Macy's paternal grandmother and maternal great-aunt delivered victim impact statements. As jurors exited the courtroom, Ditty reportedly created a disturbance, shouting and cursing at those present. She was subdued by officers and required to wear restraints for her sentencing.
Prosecutors announced that Ditty received a life sentence for the murder charge and an additional sentence of 157 to 201 months for felonious child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury. Special Prosecutor Lisa Coltrain stated that the verdict represented the perseverance of a team dedicated to ensuring Macy's story was told and justice served. The Director of the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, Kimberly Spahos, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the team's commitment to Macy's case.
