SWEETWATER COUNTY — At the end of an argued sentencing that began Monday, Judge Nena James sentenced Jacob Anthony Joseph Triplett to a lengthy prison term. He will serve a minimum of 88 years and a maximum of 116 years in prison in the death of his four-month-old daughter Susan Triplett.
Triplett pleaded no contest to six counts total, including, second-degree murder, three counts of aggravated child abuse and two counts of child abuse.
On the most serious charge of murder-in-the-second-degree Triplett was sentenced to sixty-to-eighty-one-years in prison.
Triplett changed his plea to no contest on May 6th, 2016.
Sweetwater County Attorney Dan Erramouspe said he would withhold comment on the case until Amanda Triplett had been sentenced. Her sentencing is set for November 21st, at 9 a.m.
The case has been difficult for everyone who has worked it.
A candlelight vigil in Susan’s memory took place on September 30th, 2014.
BACKGROUND
On September 19, 2014, Detectives of the Rock Springs Police Department (RSPD) arrested Jacob and Amanda Triplett for the death of their four-month-old daughter Susan Triplett.
The investigation that led to the case against Triplett began on September 15, 2014, at approximately 1:52 PM, Rock Springs Police Officer Abel Loredo responded to a 911 call where 4 month old, Susan Triplett was not breathing. Susan was taken to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County by ambulance and later taken to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT by Air Ambulance for additional treatment.
On September 17, 2014, Susan Triplett was pronounced dead by medical staff.
An investigation conducted by investigators of the Rock Springs Police Department, Green River Police Department, and Wyoming Department of Family Services determined Susan Triplett’s death had been the result of child abuse. Three additional children in the Triplett home were placed in protective custody due to additional concerns of abuse and neglect. One of the children was admitted to Primary Children’s Hospital for treatment.
Parents Jacob Anthony Triplett, 26 years old of Rock Springs, WY, was arrested for murder in the first degree, accessory to murder in the first degree, three counts of aggravated child abuse, 3 counts of accessory to aggravated child abuse, and his wife, Amanda Triplett, 24 years old of Rock Springs, WY for the same charges.
The two initially appeared before District Court Judge Nena James on Nov. 21. Bond remained at $1,000,000 dollars.
