Mother Of Caden McWilliams Receives Max Sentence In Son's Death

DENVER, CO—A woman was sentenced Wednesday to 32 years in prison for the 2018 death of her 7-year-old son, whose body was found encased in concrete inside a Denver storage unit, officials said.

According to Denver District Attorney Beth McCann, Elisha Pankey, 45, received the maximum sentence as well as five years of mandatory parole by District Court Judge A. Bruce Jones.

Last August, Elisha Pankey pleaded guilty to the felony charge of child abuse resulting in death for her role in the death of her son Caden McWilliams.

On Feb. 29, 2020, Caden’s father, Leland Pankey, received the maximum sentence of 72 years for his role in Caden’ death. In addition, the courts ordered restitution of more than $6,000 to be paid by both parents.

Caden's body was found Dec. 23, 2018, encased inside a dog carrier in a Denver storage unit in the 5000 block of East Evans Avenue. The boy was severely emaciated and had sustained many injuries, investigators said. The child also had methamphetamine in his system.

In response to the sentencing and conclusion of the case, Denver District Attorney Beth McCann issued the below statement:

“The horrific death of Caden McWilliams shocked the conscience and was incomprehensible to the people of Denver. Now that Elisha Pankey has been sentenced, the legal proceedings in this case have concluded. Yet Caden’s story is one that will always be in my heart, the hearts of our incredible prosecutors, victim advocates and investigators, as well as everyone who knew and loved Caden.

A parent’s job is to above all else, protect his or her child and as a community, we trust that when families go behind their closed doors, children are being loved and cared for. Elisha Pankey failed in this societal compact so we are grateful to Judge Jones for ordering the appropriate punishment.

I again thank the Aurora and Denver Police Departments for their dogged and excellent investigative work and members of my office for finding the courage and professionalism to see this case through to conclusion.”

SEE ALSO:

• Mother Pleads Guilty After Boy Found Dead In Storage Unit
• Mom Of Dead Denver Boy, 7, Charged By DA
• Husband Of Mom Of Dead Denver Boy, 7, Also Arrested
• 7-Year-Old Found In Storage Unit Had Been Dead Since May: Cops
• Father Sentenced In Death Of Boy Found In Denver Storage Unit