LOS ANGELES, CA – A Southern California man has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal beating of his 4-year-old daughter, leaving her paralyzed and in a vegetative state. The sentencing was confirmed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office on Friday.
Tekquan Alexander, 28, of Thousand Oaks, was convicted last month on charges of torture, assault, and inflicting corporal injury on a child. Prosecutors said Alexander’s violent abuse of his daughter, Alani, occurred multiple times during Thanksgiving week in 2021, culminating in a horrific attack on November 29 after she wet the bed.
During the assault, Alexander beat the child with a belt and a stereo amplifier cable, continuing until she became unresponsive in the bathroom of their home. Alani was initially transported to a local hospital before being airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles for advanced care.
Medical evaluations revealed the extent of Alani’s injuries, which included a traumatic brain injury, subdural hematoma, spinal compression, bone fractures, and extensive contusions and abrasions.
“This is a tragic case that no child should ever have to endure,” Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly, who prosecuted the case, said in a statement. “[Friday] is Alani’s birthday, and while no punishment can undo the lifetime of challenges she will face, knowing her perpetrator could spend his life behind bars is a small gift of justice.”
Now 7 years old, Alani remains paralyzed and in a vegetative state, requiring 24-hour medical care. She cannot perform basic functions and relies entirely on medical staff and caregivers.
Alexander was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday with the possibility of parole, though prosecutors did not specify when he would be eligible for parole.
The case has drawn attention to the devastating consequences of child abuse and the importance of intervention and prevention to protect vulnerable children from harm. Authorities are urging anyone who suspects child abuse to report it immediately to law enforcement or local child protective services.
