LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A 27-year-old Lansing man will spend the rest of his life behind bars for the kidnapping and murder of two-year-old Wynter Cole Smith, and the sexual assault of the girl’s mother.

Rashad Trice received a sentence of life in prison without parole along with 60 to 90 years for the assault of Wynter’s mother. He admitted the two had been fighting in July 2023, so he kidnapped the toddler and eventually strangled her. She was found in a Detroit alley several days later after Trice attempted to elude police.

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Wynter’s paternal grandfather Almount Smith, Sr. read a statement from his son, AJ Smith during the sentencing.

“The sweet precious life that was going to be what she wanted to be, no longer has the opportunity to be because you thought you were something, and you weren’t,” AJ Smith wrote. “You will never be forgotten or forgiven.”

Keith Watson, Trice’s attorney, said his client will suffer the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life.

Sharon Eddings, Wynter’s grandmother, said in a statement there is a hole in their hearts.

“Wynter was better than you then, and she remains better than you today,” Eddings said. “She will always be better than you.”