The grandmother of Kylen Shangreaux, Sonya Dubray, has been sentenced for her role in his murder and cover up. The young boy died in a tragic way but his family wants to keep his memory alive by helping others. Photo: Justice For Kylen

Law | National

Grandmother receives nine and a half years for her role in murder

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

By Richie Richards

Native Sun News Today Correspondent

nativesunnews.today

RAPID CITY – The story for Kylen Shangreaux, age 2 at the time of his death, has been a tragic one; killed by his birth mother in the middle of the night and having his bruised and beaten body be the central evidence in his mother’s and grandmother’s convictions.

On Tuesday, September 17, Sonya Dubray, 51, was sentenced to 9 ½ years for her role in the beating death of Shangreaux by Judge Jeffrey Viken.

This story had made headlines over the last three years since the boy’s passing. Angela Shangreaux (Kylen’s paternal aunt) has worked to keep the memory of the young boy alive through social media and advocacy. She had the boy in her custody for over a year before returning Kylen back to the mother, Katrina Shangreaux, who had him for just over fifty days before his death. She was sentenced last year to 40 years in prison for Second Degree Murder.

The courtroom was filled with emotions and tension as the long-awaited sentencing hearing began. The family and friends of Angela Shangreaux, along with Kylen’s grandparents, Rick and Patti Shangreaux sat on one side, and the family and supporters of Dubray sat on the other; one side waiting for victory and the other side waiting for the fate of their loved one.

Judge Viken had informed the court there was not positive part of this story during his opening remarks to the court. “I have no doubt there is suffering,” he explained, calling this an egregious homicide on a boy who had no chance of surviving the brutal beating which left bruises and trauma to 60-70 percent of his body.

Dubray had earlier pleaded guilty of accessory to second degree murder and admitted to cleaning the body, clothing and crime scene in order to help her daughter cover up the crime committed. In court, Dubray said she wanted to clean the deceased body in preparation for the ambulance ride.