MILWAUKEE, WI – A Milwaukee woman found guilty of killing her boyfriend’s six-year-old son will spend the remainder of her life behind bars after a judge handed down a life sentence Tuesday.

Anitra Burks, 34, was sentenced for the death of Zane McAttee-Adams, who died on July 22, 2024, after suffering brutal injuries while under Burks’ care. The Milwaukee County Circuit Court convicted Burks in October on charges including first-degree reckless homicide, child neglect resulting in death, and repeated acts of physical abuse causing death.

Authorities responded after Zane was brought to Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital on July 21, 2024. Medical staff reported that the child arrived barely conscious, displaying severe bruising across his body. Because of the extent of his injuries, he was transferred to Children’s Wisconsin Hospital, where doctors discovered a laceration in his small intestine and a fractured pelvis.

Despite medical intervention, Zane succumbed to his injuries the following day. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner later determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma, emphasizing that such injuries are rarely the result of accidents in children of his age.

Court documents reveal that Burks had been in a relationship with Zane’s father, Devon Adams, at the time of the incident. With Adams incarcerated for an unrelated offense, Burks had sole responsibility for Zane.

Investigators stated that Burks initially told authorities the boy had been unwell, complaining of thirst and vomiting, before she put him to bed for alleged misbehavior. However, the details uncovered in the investigation did not align with a simple illness, leading prosecutors to pursue charges of homicide and abuse.

Judge Laura Crivello, who presided over the case, described the crime as exceptionally severe before delivering the life sentence. The judge’s remarks underscored the court’s consideration of Burks’ past record when assessing the appropriate penalty.

Records indicate that Burks had a prior conviction from 2013 for child abuse in connection with an unrelated case, where she was sentenced for spilling hot water on a 14-month-old, causing severe burns. That conviction led to more than two years in prison and an extended period of supervision, which ended in 2021.

Meanwhile, Zane’s father, Devon Adams, is also serving a prison term related to a separate criminal case from a 2022 party. Adams was convicted earlier this year and is currently serving a 5½-year sentence.

Burks will not be eligible for parole and is expected to remain in the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for life.