Denver man sentenced to 40 years in beating death of 9-month-old girl

A Denver man who was convicted of killing a 9-month-old baby was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Friday.

Cain Gallardo was found guilty in October of child abuse resulting in connection to the death of Gianna Rosales, his girlfriend, Jolene Beyer-LaCrue's, 9-month-old daughter.

Gianna, also known as Gigi, died in August 2020 at the Denver Health Medical Center, Denver7 reported. An autopsy showed that her death was the result of blunt force trauma.

Local outlet 9News reported that Gallardo was arrested in connection to Gigi's death in May 2021 following an investigation. Beyer-LaCrue was also arrested for the same child abuse charges.

Custody battles: A child dies every 6 days amid custody fights, family court lapses. Advocates want change.

Anthony Rosales, Gigi's father, told Denver7 that he and Beyer-LaCrue had a verbal agreement to split custody at the time of Gigi's death. Rosales said he'd made several child welfare calls for his daughter while she was in her mother's care, over concerns for her safety.

“When my baby died, we died. We're still living, but we're dead. We're all dead inside,” Rosales told Denver7 after the sentencing.

According to the outlet, Gigi's family wore "Justice for Gianna" shirts to the hearing.

Turbulent homes: The startling toll on children who witness domestic violence is just now being understood

Beyer-LaCrue's trial is expected to start in February, and Rosales said he hopes she's convicted and receives the maximum sentence of 48 years in prison.

“It just shows that it isn’t that hard to be a parent. And it isn’t that hard to get your daughter to safety. It isn’t hard to keep your daughter safe. You know, and that's the big problem about this issue is they didn't they didn't keep her safe. And she's gone,” Rosales told Denver7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colorado man sentenced to 40 years in prison for Denver infant's death