️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️  Melissa Brittle, 38, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for failing to report the abuse of her grandson.<unk> Melissa Brittle, 38, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for failing to report the abuse of her grandson. ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️ Prosecutors say Melissa Dawn Brittle, 38, of Thurmont, Maryland, encouraged husband Raymond Brittle to punish two-year-old Robert Dean Watkins - who was staying with the Brittles and their three children at the time.<unk> Prosecutors say Melissa Dawn Brittle, 38, of Thurmont, Maryland, encouraged husband Raymond Brittle to punish two-year-old Robert Dean Watkins - who was staying with the Brittles and their three children at the time. Robert died in a Washington, DC, hospital on September 8, 2013 following injuries that State's Attorney Charlie Smith called the most horrific he has ever seen, according to the Frederick News-Post. Robert died in a Washington, DC, hospital on September 8, 2013 following injuries that State's Attorney Charlie Smith called the most horrific he has ever seen, according to the Frederick News-Post. Mrs Brittle waited till the next day to take the unconscious boy to the hospital.<unk> Mrs Brittle waited till the next day to take the unconscious boy to the hospital. i<unk>i<unk>i<unk>i<unk>i<unk>i<unk>i<unk>i<unk>i<unk>i<unk>i<unk>i<unk>i<unk>i<unk>i<unk> 's lawyer argued that she was terrified of her emotionally abusive husband and intimidated into covering up his violence against little Robert.<unk>'s lawyer argued that she was terrified of her emotionally abusive husband and intimidated into covering up his violence against little Robert. Defence lawyer Mary Drawbaugh told Daily Mail Online that Brittle had no job, no high school diploma and no driver's license.<unk> Attorney Mary Drawbaugh told Daily Mail Online that Brittle had no job, no high school diploma and no driver's license.<unk> We adamantly denied that she encouraged the child in any way,<unk> said Mrs Drawbaugh.<unk>We adamantly denied that she encouraged the child in any way,<unk>said Mrs Drawbaugh. Raymond Brittle has admitted to horribly beating two-year-old Robert Dean Watkins to death in September 2013.<unk> Raymond Brittle has admitted to horribly beating two-year-old Robert Dean Watkins to death in September 2013. <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> She did come clean and cooperated with police and did facilitate a call to her husband in which he confessed to the crime.<unk> 'She did come clean and cooperated with police and did facilitate a call to her husband in which he confessed to the crime.'<unk> Drawbaugh<unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> Mrs Brittle faced up to 40 years in prison under a state law that says failing to report child abuse also constitutes child abuse.<unk> Mrs Brittle faced up to 40 years in prison under a state law that says failing to report child abuse also constitutes child abuse.<unk> ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️ Robert Dean Watkins was the step-grandson of Raymond Brittle.<unk> Robert Dean Watkins was the step-grandson of Raymond Brittle. Raymond and Melissa have agreed to take care of the child for his mother.<unk> Raymond and Melissa have agreed to take care of the child for his mother. <unk> <unk> <unk>
Melissa Brittle was sentenced under Maryland law which says failing to report child abuse also constitutes child abuse.<unk> Melissa Brittle was sentenced under Maryland law which says failing to report child abuse also constitutes child abuse. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️