LAURENS — A former Clemson University student charged in the 2009 death of a 16-month-old baby was sentenced to 10 years in prison last week.

Richard Brandon Lewis of Clinton was sentenced last Thursday in a Laurens courtroom by Eighth Circuit Judge Frank R. Addy, Jr., to 10 years for aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse in the death of 16-month-old Audrina Hepburn on Oct. 17, 2009.

Lewis was charged along with the child’s mother, Ashley Nicole Hepburn, 23, of Cross Hill in Laurens County, in the case.

Hepburn was was sentenced on Thursday to 45 years in prison for homicide by child abuse.
In September, the Courier reported that according to arrest warrants, State Law Enforcement Division agents believed Lewis caused the death of the baby by committing child abuse or neglect on or about October 12-13, 2009, at a Cross Hill home in Laurens County.