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Father's Plea: 'Die and Burn' for Son's Killer
9 Jun
Summary
- An 18-year-old received a life sentence for a 5-year-old's murder.
- The victim's father expressed a desire for the killer to 'die and burn'.
- The case led to new Wisconsin law for missing child alerts.
An 18-year-old, Erik Mendoza, has received a life sentence for his role in the 2023 killing of 5-year-old Prince McCree in Milwaukee. Mendoza, who was 15 at the time, will not be eligible for release for 50 years. He pleaded guilty to charges including first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse.
During the sentencing, Prince McCree's father emotionally told the court he wished the killer would 'die and burn' with 'no mercy.' McCree's mother also shared her grief, stating her son deserved better at just five years old.
The disappearance of Prince McCree in October 2023 and the subsequent discovery of his body led to significant legal changes. The Prince Act, a new Wisconsin law, has broadened the state's missing-child alert system to include cases that may not meet Amber Alert criteria, ensuring more children can be found faster.
