Mother of little Lincoln, murdered in a molestation case, sentenced to over 100 years in prison

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A Lincoln mother, the mother of a 22-month-old child who died last year after being molested, was sentenced on three counts to more than 100 years to life in prison.

On Thursday morning, Brittany Cook, the 32-year-old mother of deceased toddler Rudy Jr., was sentenced to 105 years to life in prison. According to district court documents, she received: 70 years to life, including the first count of intentional child abuse resulting in death; 20 to 25 years on a second count of willful abuse of a child resulting in serious bodily injury; from five to ten years on the third ground of possession with intent to deliver.

Since then, we have been following the tragic story of this case March last yearwhen 33-year-old Joshua Tackett was initially arrested for weapons offenses, but remained in custody due to his possible involvement in Rudy Jr.’s death.

Cook’s son, Rudy Jr., was brought to CHI St. Elizabeth in March 2023 with bruises to her head and face and injuries to her chest and genitals. He also had a broken leg.

Lincoln police said they were called to hospital after a report of a young child showing obvious signs of abuse. Junior was transported by ambulance to Children’s Hospital in Omaha for a higher level of care and later died on March 17.

Cook told officers she put him down for a nap and when she returned, she found the boy unresponsive.

Officials say the injuries occurred after Cook’s relationship with Joshua Tackett he started.

On July 30, the jury found Tackett guilty on two counts: child abuse with intent to kill and distribution of a controlled substance near a school.

The jury found Tackett not guilty of three other charges, first-degree assault and two counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, but was convicted under s. October 29 to 85 years to life.

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