Murder conviction for Delco mom in child death

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Monday, December 12, 2016
Pictured: Shannon Matthews, 2-year-old Mason Hunt, and Daniel Grafton
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MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) -- A Delaware County mother has been convicted of third-degree murder and other charges in the death of her 2-year-old son.

But the Delaware County Daily Times says the woman's boyfriend was acquitted of all charges except child endangerment in the boy's death.

Friday's verdict means 30-year-old Shannon Matthews remains jailed and faces up to 40 years in prison when she's sentenced. Her boyfriend, 31-year-old Daniel Grafton, has been freed on bond until the Glenolden couple is sentenced Jan. 18.

Prosecutors offered plea deals with sentences of 12 to 24 years each, but the couple rejected them.

Little Mason Hunt died Feb. 3, 2015 after District Attorney Jack Whelan says the boy was "terrorized" and beaten the last two days he lived. Only Matthews and Grafton were with the boy then.