Born July 6, 2002-Died March 11, 2007
FOUND GUILTY!
Spokane, Washington-
Update! It only took jurors four hours to reach their decision after 30-year-old Jonathan Lytle’s two-week trial. Jonathan Lytle showed no emotion as jurors announced the verdict Lytle was found guilty of homicide by abuse in the death of daughter Summer Phelps.
Jurors also found him guiltyon three aggravating factors: that he used deliberate cruelty, that the victim was especially vulnerable and that Lytle had a position of trust and authority that he used to carry out the crimes. Now Summer finally has her justice! Rest in peace little angel.
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Sentenced to 62.5 years
Summer’s Father, Jonathan Lytle
| (The Hated Stepchild?) | |
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It happened on March 11, 2007Jonathan Lytle brought his 4-year old daughter Summer to Deaconess Medical Center late that night. Summer wasn’t breathing, and she was covered with bruises. Court documents issued later would indicate that Summer Lytle also was covered with “human bite marks.”It was determined that Summer may have drowned in a tub in which someone made her wash pee-stained clothing. However, with injuries over most of the child’s body, investigators were hedging on the cause of death pending a complete autopsy of the girl’s remains. Adriana facing Jon as he avoids her pleading stare Spokane police Sgt. Joe Peterson, from the major crimes unit, was quoted by the Associated Press in: “It’s probably the worst case of abuse that any of us in hundreds of combined years in this unit have ever seen.”Summer, Jon Lytle’s daughter by a previous relationship, was said to be developmentally disabled. Court documents referenced in the AP article indicated that Summer was made to wear a ’shock collar,’ a device typically used to train dogs. This appeared to be the Lytles’ solution to disciplining their 4-year-old.The court documents also said that Summer Lytle may have been beaten with spoons, and a belt. Jonathan David Lytle II, the couple’s 8-month-old boy, was placed in foster care. |
Stepmother to Plead Guilty-May 2008
Source: Spokesman Review
The stepmother charged with homicide by abuse in the death of 4-year-old Summer Phelps has decided to plead guilty, court records show.
Adriana Lytle, 33, has been in the Spokane County Jail since her arrest in March 2007 along with her husband, Jonathan Lytle, for repeatedly torturing, biting and beating the child before she was rushed to Deaconess Medical Center, where she died.
Emergency room workers said it was one of the worst cases of child abuse they’d ever seen, and Summer Phelps’ death shocked the Spokane community.
Adriana Lytle will enter her guilty plea on June 5 at a hearing before Spokane County Superior Court Judge Michael Price. She had been scheduled to stand trial on October 13. The homicide by abuse charge carries a minimum 20-year prison sentence.
In recent months, there has been growing discord between the jailed couple, according to court documents.
In January, Price agreed to sever Adriana Lytle’s case from her 29-year old husband’s based on a motion by her public defenders, John Hunt Whaley and Anna Nordtvedt.
“Both parties have minimized their mistreatment of Summer Phelps, and attempt to lay the lion’s share of the blame on the co-defendant spouse,” according to their motion.
The motion also says Jonathan Lytle is “fired up” to move the case out of the county, but Adriana Lytle’s attorneys argued that would not be in her interest.
At a May 9 hearing, Jonathan Lytle refused to sign off on a waiver to continue the criminal case against him, put on hold on March 31 when he was ordered to Eastern State Hospital for a psychiatric examination. His court-appointed attorneys from the Counsel for the Defense, Ed Carroll and Dennis Dressler, say he is not mentally competent to stand trial.
The results of Jonathan Lytle’s psychiatric examination have not been made public, but it was apparent at the May 9 hearing that Judge Price was prepared to resume the criminal trial by hearing a motion from his attorneys to move the trial due to extensive pre-trial publicity.
But with Jonathan Lytle’s refusal to sign the waiver, there now will be a contested hearing on July 17 on his mental competency. His jury trial is scheduled for Sept. 8.
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You Tube Video:
Summer, You Are So Loved and Missed
Affidavit for Search Warrant-Adrianna and Jon Lytle (Below)
The Sentences
Jonathan Lytle was found guilty and the Spokane jury has sentenced him to 75 years in prison! He will have endless amounts of time to think about the hell he put his little daughter thru, lots of time to think about how he tooth intook away every special event that should have happened in her life, from losing her first tooth in grade school-to going to the prom in high school. By the way, this sentence is one for the record books, and imo, it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy. Lytle will be 97 years old before having a chance at parole.
Adriana was also handed a more than appropriate sentence. She will be in prison for 62.5 years. Lots of time for her to think about what made her turn into the monster she is for torturing and taking the life of an innocent little girl. Webster’s Dictionary should officially put the mugshot of Adriana next to the word Stepmonster. Read more on her sentencing here.
Rest in peace little angel Summer, your tormentors are paying a hefty price for ending your life far too soon.
46 Comments
February 16 ,2008 at 2:36 am
Those monsters had better get the max. What they did to that child is absolute barbarity. The fact that the states First Steps program doesn’t even require contact with all children of pre-school age or home-schooled in the home is negligent and deadly policy. If a parent or both has past with drugs/crime they should be on the hotseat and not firing the state workers willy nilly to mess with the system.
Summer was hidden from he world and kept prisoner, she tried to escape once. They should be on trial for keeping her hostage too!
I can only imagine what was going through her mind as she slipped under the water for the last time, slowly bleeding to death, suffering from pheumonia due to their prefered method of torture. These demons had better be kept in jail for a long, long, time. There is no cure for those who would inflict homicidal violence on a child. RIP Summer Marie
February 20 ,2008 at 5:27 am
Hi C Latour,
I am waiting to hear ANYTHING about the trial of Jon and Adriana Lytle. They were set to go to trial in January, but I guess it has been continued to a later date- the two have turned against eachother now and blame the other for torturing summer the day she died.
The First Steps program employees are in the wrong too. They didn’t know there were two children in the home? They didn’t notice that everytime they came to the home for the baby brother’s visits-Summer was conviently taken out the home so they would not see her condition?!
And for the record,I don’t think everyone should be allowed to homeschool their kids, I am seeing too many parents using this premise of the “home school” to hide their child’s bruises from abuse and neglect or to keep them silent about what they are witnessing/going through at home. Parents should have to take a test and be certified to home school ANY of their children.
You have these parents that barely got out of school themselves,or hardly went saying they’re homeschooling their kids-yeah sure, alright,okay.
February 20 ,2008 at 6:52 am
Need trial info. If Anyone knows, could you please email me?
February 29 ,2008 at 8:36 am
Latest On Trial- News story from early January 2008-
SPOKANE – The Spokane couple suspected of torturing a four-year-old girl to death could now face separate murder trials. Summer Phelps was killed last March in a course of beatings and near drownings that may have stretched on for weeks.But separate trials may be the only way jurors can hear the statements Jonathan and Adriana Lytle made to police, as they blamed each other for Summer’s death.
The strategy also serves as a way of dividing and conquering the defendants.
Jonathan and Adriana Lytle may have parted their ways long before prosecutors filed this new motion to sever. During their first joint court appearance, Adriana tried to get her husband’s attention. But Jon Lytle ignored his wife’s sobs and never acknowledged her presence.
That’s because in separate interviews with police the Lytles implicated each other in Summer’s death. If the couple were to stand trial together the jury could only hear what Jon had allegedly confessed to and not what he accuses Adriana of doing. However, in separate trials, the jury could hear both defendant’s statements about the abuse and develop a better understanding of what really happened to Summer.
The bottom line is the jury hears more of what the Lytles allegedly told Major Crimes detectives during their investigation.
KXLY4 obtained a home video of the Lytles celebrating Christmas three months before Summer’s death. In the video, the couple appears to be happy.
But in separate trials the Lytles would be pitted against each other, and this new legal wedge driven between husband and wife will likely benefit the prosecution.
In a lot of criminal cases, a wife can claim spousal privilege and refuse to testify against her husband, or vice versa. However, in child abuse cases, there is now spousal privilege. The Lytles are scheduled to stand trial January 28th.
Source:
Spokesman Review
March 5 ,2008 at 7:58 am
Likewise, anyone hearing of a trial date please email me.
I cannot imagine what Summer was thinking during all of this, wondering what she did to deserve it. From the many things I have read since last March, she is truly loved by a lot of people who know of her story. Thank God she is safe now.
March 6 ,2008 at 9:49 am
I have followed this case so closely that I have it memorized. But – what happened to the trials of these sadistic idiots? Why can’t we get up-to – date news?
Please e-mail me with any news of the trial. Thanks
March 16 ,2008 at 7:14 am
I just read somewhere that the trials were set for Sept 08 and October 13.
March 21 ,2008 at 4:11 pm
I want to see these sadistic pigs get the chopping block, or rather the closest thing our society has to it. And if the dad raped the child (as one rumor said he did) then I want to see his penis cut into a hundred tiny pieces and force fed to him.
Make an example out these scum. Then maybe other sadists will think twice before they keep kids away from people who care about them, just so they can have the child in their custody to abuse.
April 5 ,2008 at 7:36 pm
The trials are set for Sept (Jon’s) and October (Adrianas). I admit I do not know all the details of what happened to my precious baby, nor do I care to know. I cannot bear the thought of all the horrid things that she endured for God knows how long. All I ask is that justice be served swiftly. I also ask that you keep our family in your prayers, as it has changed our lives forever. I have not even began to comprehend all of this, except that it was truly evil at its worst. I have forgiven Jon and Adriana, just so I have some peace of mind. I do know that their ultimate judgement day wont be when their sentences are handed down,but rather it will be the day they meet their maker. I dont think he will have mercy on their souls.
Jon is trying to go for some mental defense plea, and Adriana is claiming her abuse in life lead her to abuse my Summer-berry. This is not a valid excuse–in either case–as at the time of their actions, they could distinguish right from wrong. I will book mark this web site and check back from time to time. Please, feel free to email me if u so desire, all I ask is that you not lambast our family–as my daughter did what she thought was best for Summer–allowing her to go and visit her father and new baby step-brother.
April 9 ,2008 at 5:40 am
Summer’s Grandmother,
Thank you for posting, I want to let you know, there are so many people out here who were angry and outraged, about your granddaughter’s death at the hands of Jon and Adriana. Summer touched the hearts of several people, and her tragic death resulted in some changes within the child welfare agencies in Wash.state. So some positives came about with her story, but it is still heartbreaking because your little angel had to die needlessly for changes to take place. I also want to thank you for the trial information, I could not find nearly anything about it on the internet.
I know that your family will be in the thoughts and prayers of many people who know about Summer and I also hope justice is truly served for this adorable little girl and her loved ones when the trials take place.
April 9 ,2008 at 6:47 am
Hi Geminigirl07, Check me out on Facebook. I have a CAUSE listed called Child Abuse Prevention Act @ gopetition.com. The petition was NOT started by me but one of Summer’s warriors, I post any new info I get on there.
April 9 ,2008 at 7:48 am
Ok, thank you for the info. C. Latour, I def. need to check that out : )
April 9 ,2008 at 4:31 pm
Due to the fact I live over seas, I dont keep up on the ‘daily grind’ of updates, thank you for letting us know about the link to your petition. I shall check it out.
We have received respones from literally all over the world due to Summer’s death, which has given us some comfort. Its also comforting to know that perhaps her death wasnt completely in vain if laws are changing and being enacted for the safety and welfare of other children who are also just as precious. It breaks my heart to know the day Summer-berry’s death was announced on the television, there were also 2 other children who were found to be abused. One was a little girl who died and one was a very fortunate little boy who was taken out of his situation in time. He was found to be grossly underweight, but for him…healing shall come…and hopefully a new life as well.
Thank you for your continued support, it deeply touches us and helps keep us sane knowing other people care so much.
May 27 ,2008 at 11:18 pm
TO SUMMERS FAMILY, MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN WITH YOU THROUGH ALL THE HURT AND TEARS. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT SUMMER WILL FOREVER BE IN MY HEART. I PRAY FOR YOU EVERYDAY AND WISH THE BEST FOR YOU. I TRULY BELEIVE THAT JONATHAN AND ADRIANA WILL GET EVERYTHING THAT THEY DESERVE, AND I HOPE ITS TEN FOLD. AGAIN IM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, AND YOULL REMAIN IN MY HEART AND PRAYERS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN THEY GO TO TRIAL.
KATHRINE
June 5 ,2008 at 3:06 pm
IT REALLY BOTHERS ME TO HEAR ALL OF THIS. I FOUND OUT ABOUT SUMMER READING ABOUT ANOTHER ANGEL (TESSLYNN O CULL) AND IT HURTS MY SOUL DAILY TO THINK ABOUT THESE BABIES AND THE MONSTERS THAT DID THIS STUFF TO THEM . I HAVE A 2.5 YEAR OLD AND A THREE MONTH OLD AND YES THEY CAN BE A HAND FUL BUT IM I BEATING THEM NO . I CANT IMAGINE DOING THOSE THINGS TO MY KIDS LET ALONE ALLOWING ANYONE ELSE TO DO . I WOULD HURT THEM OR WORSE MYSELF FOR HURTING MY CHILDREN. IM JUST GLAD TO KNOW THAT SUMMER DID EXPERIENCE LOVE.
June 29 ,2008 at 6:08 pm
There was a similar case in western Washington in January 2005. It also involved the killing of a four year old girl by an evil step-mother, and a father who was uncaring, possessive of the child as property, or maybe abusive himself. He got custody of his daughter through he courts and prevented her adoption by caring relatives or foster parents. Summer’s father got custody of her through trickery, taking the child for a “visit” and just never giving her back, manipulatively coming up with a reason why she had to stay “just a little longer” when the mom called and inquired about getting her child.
In the Sirita Sotelo case in western Washington, the evil step-mother got to plea bargain down to manslaughter, so she only received eight and a half years. The details of the case are so horrific, there is no way that eight and a half years constitutes justice. But this was right after some child hating scum of a judge declared the murder-by-abuse laws unconstitutional. Not only that but people convicted under this law had to be retried the judge said. This put a terrible financial burden on counties and hampered prosecution of more recent cases.
Well guess what. Some other court must have overturned that ruling, because the murder-by-abuse laws are back on the books. (Yippeee!) But this was not announced like the temporary ending of the murder-by-abuse laws. Neither was it announced that in the Sirita Sotelo case, the evil step-mother can never see her other children again. In order to regain custody of his other children, her husband had to divorce her.
I wonder how much Adrianna knew about the Sirita Sotelo case when she killed Summer? It would be interesting to know. She may have known a little bit about it from news reports or the internet. If she only knew a little bit and not a lot, Heather Ewel and the sweet deal she got may have inspired her. If she didn’t know that the murder-by-abuse laws were back on the books, and she didn’t know that Heather Ewel (Sirita’s evil step-mom) lost her marriage and kids, she may have thought she could kill Summer, have her husband bring her son to visit her in prison once a week, and be out in eight years, maybe less than five with parole. Then she may have thought she could go back to her husband and child and pick up her life where she left off.
Surprise bitch. You are going to get what you deserve, even if Heather Ewel did not. You will go away for decades, maybe more. Miss Heather just hit it lucky at a bad time in Washington’s judicial history, and escaped most of what she deserves. You will not.
I wish both bitches the worst of luck. Maybe they will end up as cell mates and have wild lesbian sex together, although Adrianna will probably be jealous of the sweet deal the Heather got.
I certainly have nothing bad to say about Summer’s mom, so grandma need not worry on that score. If Summer’s mom had any fault here it was in being too trusting. She trusted Summer’s dad to take good care of her and to pick a real human being for a wife, instead of a monster. How could she know how rotten both people were?
July 14 ,2008 at 11:46 am
Summer’s Grandmother,
I pray for you all alot. Please remember that although I never met Summer, she will be with me forever. And from what I have read, a lot of people feel the same. Please take comfort in that.
July 15 ,2008 at 3:38 am
Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. It truly does make a difference to our family. Im waiting to hear if Jon will be found fit to stand trial or not, and if Adriana will decide to change her plea to guilty to avoid testifying against him. Pls let me know thru this web-site, its the only one I visit in regards to the pending trials.
Thank You all again!
Summer’s Grandmother
July 22 ,2008 at 2:53 am
Dear Summer’s Grandmother,
I hadn’t heard about this case until a news report today made me aware of it. I was so saddened by the abuse your granddaughter suffered, and how her mom must have suffered as well, that my eyes filled with tears that have yet to stop.
I am glad I have the opportunity to share with you my sorrow and my outrage at her treatment. I pray for your family that you may have some peace of mind in the end, and that justice is served.
Summer should be here on Earth enjoying the life of a normal little girl, but I hope you can take some comfort from her presence in Heaven with the angels.
FYI, the news item I read said that the stepmother had “pleaded guilty Monday to homicide by abuse”.
Yours sincerely,
Just a Mom
July 23 ,2008 at 5:38 am
Thank you, Just A Mom for your kind words of comfort. I want to emphasize that you arent “Just a mom” you are someone special who has one of the toughest and biggest jobs on the face of the earth–to raise a child successfully to adulthood. Its a selfless job, doesnt pay much, but the rewards are so worth the effort of being on the job 24-7. I have mixed feelings about Adriana pleading guilty. On one hand, Im relieved to see she has decided to face the horrible act that she has done and be a grown up about it by admitting her guilt. On the other hand, I feel numb, knowing that no matter what she or Jon does, it will never ever bring our Summer-berry back to us. Im sure healing will come in time….There will always be a huge hole in our hearts and lives without Summer….but I hope to God that her death will not be in vain, it will in turn change laws and help to save another child’s life.
Thank you all again for your kind thoughts and prayers, it IS truly making a difference.
Kind Regards,
Summer’s Grandmother
September 8 ,2008 at 8:02 pm
summers family once again thanks everyone for their prayers and thoughts and most importantly your support the trial date is oct 13th it has just been confirmed by my sister herself. Mom call me plz when u can I would appreciate it. Thank u
September 8 ,2008 at 8:04 pm
summers family once again thanks everyone for their prayers and thoughts and most importantly your support the trial date is oct 13th it has just been confirmed by my sister herself. Its absolutly amazing to me how so many people who did t know her are touched and compassionate about our situation. There are still good people in the world. Mom call me plz when u can I would appreciate it. Thank u
September 26 ,2008 at 4:49 am
I was appalled to see the other day that Jonathons Lawyers are trying to get the dog shock collar evidence sealed from the trial. While it may not of aided ‘directly’ in the death of my baby–it DID contribute in some way. Summer-berry had heart murmur’s and any sort of electrical device could not of been good. It shows how he tortured her over days, weeks and months. It shows the cruelty he is capable of. He is being an idiot and still not accepting his responsibilities for what he has done. However, I AM glad to see that the psycologist his own defense team selected has finally figured out that Jon is a sociopath–or the new term for it–a person with Anti-social Personality Disorder. Now all to do is wait……and see what transpires at the trial.
Im still waiting to hear back about an exact start date, the jury selection begins October 13th…
September 28 ,2008 at 4:18 pm
Summer’s Grandmother,
I am so ticked that Jonathan still won’t accept responsibility for what he’s done to Summer. We all already kind of figured that he was a SOCIOPATH and to me it’s a polite way of calling him crazy. He was cruel and he should pay with his own life for taking sweet little Summer’s. Thanks for the updates, and keep posting.
October 15 ,2008 at 9:46 pm
Lytle trial has started
October 24 ,2008 at 2:00 am
Jury selection will continue for Jonathon’s trial until Tuesday the 28th and hopefully wont need to be extended past then. If it doesnt need an extension, the actualy trial with opening arguments is set to begin on the very enxt day–Wednesday the 29th of October. Please, I ask that you all keep our family in your thoughts and prayers during this time. Meanwhile, sentencing for Adriana will be held after Jon’s trial is completed, hopefully by Thanksgiving. Im hoping the judge is as hungry for a guilty decision as he appears to be from the news reports that states hes pretty much denied all of Jon’s legal defence teams requests.
Ah well, My heart aches and I hope this nightmare will all be over soon, so we can all start healing and find some peace.
Take Care, Granny
October 25 ,2008 at 3:02 pm
Summer’s Granny,
We will be following the trial, and hope that JUSTICE is served on Jon and then, on Adriana. Thanks for keeping us up on the events. Just know you’re in our thoughts,
October 31 ,2008 at 10:38 pm
Im growing more and more frustrated to see the trial date keep getting pushed further and further out once again! I know its the US Justice system, but lemme tell y’all–it can suck sometimes! Im confident Jon will get his just desserts but I wish it would all hurry up and get started! Im so proud of Elizabeth for filing a law suit against the state of Washington. I know it wont bring my little Summer-Berry back, but it might help to ease the burdens that my daughter has been going thru by being shunned in the community where she lives. They are blaming her and as a result, she is having a hard time finding a job. Im sorry, but she WASNT there when any of this happened to Summer! And she DID try to get her daughter back from those evil people who tortured and murdered her long in advance to and of her abuse starting! Anyways, I’ll step down from my soap box now…and say thank you all from the depths of my heart for continuing to post words on here. Its been a true encouragement to me, and Im sure to the rest of my family that checks in here from time to time. Im taking it easy and slowly progressing down the path in my healing journey. Ive had wonderful support around me all the time and I strive to pass it along to my family so they too can heal from this. Again, I will continue to keep an eye on here and read the comments that are made, they are a wonderful source of encouragement. I will in turn try and keep you updated on the progress of the trial and its outcome. Take care! You all are a blessing to me
.
Thanks,
Summer’s Grandmother
November 1 ,2008 at 5:21 pm
Summers Grandma
I have just read all of the posting, and am touched by the support you are receiving. I was part of the jury pool for Jonathans case, but was not selected. I cannot tell you what the feeling was like to sit in the same court room as this man. I could not have been bias in this case. I wanted to think I could, just so I could put him away. I feel for the family, friends and now the jurors and what they have and will go thru. I am so sorry for your loss. I too am a grandma and a mom. I cannot understand what kind of human beings could do this to your precious Summer-berry. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I this is ends very soon for your family, so you can try to put your lives back together. Summer will be in many people’s hearts forever.
November 14 ,2008 at 10:28 pm
As I read the verdict this morning on line, I sat and cried tears of relief. Knowing tht this man has been found guilty on all counts. Now, hopefully he will get life behind bars without a chance of ever walking free again. He cannot hurt another being. Joy and relief! NO chance of harming anyone else or shattering their lives like has has ours. I was a bit surprised to see that his defence team the other day asked for dismissal, but I guess they were only trying to do their jobs. I was also a bit surprised when they rested their case without calling a single witness who would willingly testify on his behalf. I guess even they must have surely recognised that they were fighting a losing battle. My heart goes out to the jury members who had to sit thruout the ordeal and see quite vividly the photos that were shown to them and relive the testimony of nightmares my poor baby must of endured during her final days and hours. For me, this is the beginning of closure and hopefully a chance to start the long and often hoped for healing process.
Adriana is set for sentencing on the 9th of January. Jon’s is scheduled for a week or so after that, but as Ive been informed, it could be delayed. His defence team wont have enough time to do their paperwork they said. Delay after delay, its been more than a nightmare. But oh well, at least my Summer-berry’s violent death is no more in vain. She has been at long long last vindicated, and has spoken from beyond the grave. I hope that Congress will have a look and strongly consider the Summer’s Bill that sits before them. I pray they have the guidance needed to make the much needed changes for crimes against the innocent and too often silent victims of society: Our children! Thank you all once again for your comforting words of support and out-pouring of love. It has truly helped each of my family members and myself to get thru this. I want to say how truly proud I am of my daughter to get thru what has to be the most horrific and difficult time in her life. She truly is MY hero, for I know she has endured something that I would never be able to do…..Sit in a court room with the murderer of her child and not be allowed to show any displays of emotion. I know beyond a reasonable doubt, i couldnt of done that–I too would of ended up behind bars for wrapping my hands around his throat and choking the very life out of him. Pls continue to keep us in our prayers, the difficult part is now over, but the sentencing is still in the balance. I pray that Jon and Adriana get what they deserve, and nothing more or less.
Thank You,
Summer’s Grandmother
November 15 ,2008 at 3:24 am
To Summer’s ‘family.’
Isn’t so easy for you NOW to show so much concern for Summer and the horror she went through? I’m so sorry but I just don’t buy all of this. Not at all.
Where were ALL of you after this child was born? Because that is when it all really started. CPS was involved bc the now grieving ‘mother’ was living in a tent and homeless….Where were all of you then? If you didn’t want the mother in your house, couldn’t you have taken the baby in?
Then there were the reports to CPS that the father was physically and sexually abusing the little baby. These were made by the ‘mother.’ She was capable of removing the baby from his presence. Her family would have helped her, I guess. But no one did anything.
My theory is that the ‘mother’ is a sociopath as well who was promiscuous, drugging, not working (shudder the thought) and obviously hanging around guys who were sick, sick, sick. Where were all of you then?
She was not ‘kind enough to allow Summer to visit with her father and baby brother.’ She left Summer there while she went to JAIL and then never bothered to come and get her ‘beloved’ daughter. That she blamed on Jonathan. Then he blamed Adriana for the abuse and she blamed him. Now the loving? ‘mother’ is trying to get money from her own daughters torturous life and death by suing CPS!!!! She is blaming them. Where are your heads???????? HER HANDS ARE NOT CLEAN.
Not by a long shot.
Elizabeth Phelps is a sorry excuse for a human being and never was a good mother and you all know that. Let’s call a spade a spade. She is a socopath who cares only for herself and has now discovered a ‘get rich’ scheme. She just disgusts me.
This is a horrible thing to say but with the parents and stepparent this little girl had, she is better off with the angels. There IS NO POSSIBLE WAY THIS CHILD COULD HAVE MAINTAINED ANY KIND OF SANITY WITH THESE PARENTS ON THE CASE. She would never have been normal mentally.
E Phelps needs to be arrested and charged with child neglect, child abandonment, child endangerment, and indifference and violating the trust of a very minor child. And contributing to the homicide by abuse of this helpless child.
It’s ridiculous to come forward now and say how much you cared. The results show how much you did not bother to care.
GET THE WOMAN STERILIZED!!!!!She is not fit to watch a dog.
My prayers are with all suffering children with psycho families, not with this ‘mother’ or this ‘very caring family’ Blarney
November 15 ,2008 at 3:49 am
I just can’t help it. This whole case makes me so very angry.
What mother calls to ‘inquire’ about getting her child? Am I the only one who thinks a ‘mother’ getting out of jail would go straight to get her child? Especially since she has left the child with a man she knows physically and sexually abused the child?
And let’s not forget that she DID get the child and then returned her to the same horror saying she was just not ready yet.
Is it just me or what? This is all BS to me. I sincerely hope E gets arrested and is made to take responsibility for what happened to this child. Don’t make excuses for her, you relatives. Get her sterilized. You know as well as I do that she is an irresponsible, immature, sociopathic, monster who cares only for herself. That is, if you know her. I really believe there is a lot more to this story than has been told. And that is probably for the best. It is stomach turning and disgusting. Where the hell was this bitch on Christmas when the pathetic little girl was forced to say Merry Christmas? And after she actually did take the child for a night, did she not notice bruises etc. Of course not. The “victim mother” was blind. It is so absurd to protect this witch. She needs to burn at the stake. Of justice.
And, family, STOP. You should have been responsible enough to do something about this a looooong time ago. E did not just suddenly appear sociopathic at age 18. It just don’t work that way. STOP STOP STOP You are just making it easier for another child to go through this kind of thing. If you make E take responsibility for what she did, maybe some other psycho will think twice before using etc when they have a child. I’t disgusting. STOP
November 19 ,2008 at 4:38 am
Finn-
I would appreciate it if YOU WOULD GET THE FACTS CORRECT!
Show me the arrest record for Elizabeth? I DARE YOU! Why? because there ISNT one! She was never arrested. She never went to jail–for anything! Living in a tent? PLEASE WHY DONT YOU GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT before preaching to the rest of us!
Elizabeth TRIED on many occasions to get Summer back from those monsters. She went to court to try and get her back, but the magistrate just laughed in her face and denied it. Even after presenting evidence of the allegations of sexual abuse and drug use by Jonathon.
Further– I TRIED to get Summer, but due to the fact I now live overseas, Jonathon would not sign off on his custodial rights to Summer. So I was not able to get Summer thru NO fault of my own.
Elizabeth tried on MANY occasions to prevent Summer from seeing her father, but CPS and the courts wouldnt deny him access. I DARE YOU, Finn to prove ANY of what you are trying to imply.
Elizabeth was a fantastic mom. She constantly put Summers needs, wants and desires well and truly above her own!….Finn, were you even remotely aware of the time when Summer was rushed down off the mountains where she and her mother lived (WITH FAMILY I might add) due to a severe illness? were you there w/ Summer 24/7 around the clock while she was in hospital for the spinal meningitis? Elizabeth was! She was told many times by the hospital staff to go home and shower, or to sleep or just to get a break away from the same 4 walls of the hospital room, but NO! She flat out REFUSED to leave her daughter alone in there. Were you there, Finn when Summer came out of the hospital after that to care for Summer’s IV line around the clock? Every 2 hours, the IV line had to be flushed–AROUND THE CLOCK…..where were you? Busy preaching rubbish you dont know ANYthing about is my guess. Were YOU there, Finn when Summer would come back from visits with her dad to wake up in the middle of the night screaming and shaken with terror? Where were you to comfort her then?
Were you there Finn when Elizabeth went back to school to get her High School diploma in spite of the fact she had a baby? Were you there to offer child care services for Summer? Provide transportation at late hours of the night AFTER school finished and after Elizabeth got off work?
Finn–Were YOU there when Elizabeth DID IN FACT GO at Christmas to try and get her daughter back from Jon & Adriana just before all the torture and abuse started? Did YOU offer to drive the 8 hours over the mountains on the far side of the state, driving thru the snow etc to once AGAIN try and get Summer back? I dont think so! Again “my theory” (to use your own words against you) was that you were too busy trying to preach about something you know NOTHING about.
Further, Finn–Elizabeth ISNT interested in the money if she wins the law suit against the state of Washington…..far from it! She IS interested in seeing that the laws are changed so this WONT happen to another child.
I suggest that you look at what really happened Finn, and ask, gather and think thru the FACTS before opening your filthy pie-hole and spewing further rubbish. For your information, My daughter Elizabeth was working up until this happened. If you HAD bothered to try and find out the REAL truth, you would of seen that in many reports from many sources!
Finally, Finn–IF you are ‘man enough’ to confront and challenge me on ANY of this, Im more than happy to take you on. Pls see the owner of this web site for my contact information, and WE will take this private.
November 21 ,2008 at 6:41 am
Dear Summer’s Grandmother
My heart goes out to you.
Summer touched me deeply and she is so much loved by people who never knew her before. Bless her little heart!
May God take better care of her than this world ever can …
You´ll be in my prayers.
December 8 ,2008 at 6:20 am
I have recently within the past couple of days found out that Jon will be sentenced for his crimes on the 8th of January, 2009. Adriana’s sentencing will be the following day on the 9th of January, 2009. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, as this is the end of a long and cruel time in my family’s life. I wish excerpts from this web site could be included in the victim’s statements that will be read aloud at the sentencing hearings, just to show Jon & Adriana that Summer may of been unnoticed at the time of her torture, but people still remember her, and will continue to strive for changes in the legal system. Many of you never met her, but its clear from here that she touched many people’s lives & sould. Her death was not in vain.
Take Care,
Summer-berry’s Grandmother
January 8 ,2009 at 4:30 pm
My prayer’s are with Summer’s Family. It is not right for a parent to bury their child! With this case, for the child to have to suffer from abuse by the hands of her own father and step- mother! Makes me want to cry it’s so sad.
January 10 ,2009 at 5:35 pm
Well-
The sentencing is over. Basically they get life with out parole. Its a mixed feeling for me, I must admit. Im so glad to see that neither Jon or Adriana will be free to hurt another child ever again. On the other hand, why did they needlessly have to throw their lives away for something that didnt have to happen?
No matter how long either of them got, it still wont bring my little Summer-berry back, but at least it was shown at Adriana’s sentencing trial that Summer’s death wasnt in vain. One of the Psychologists who examined Adriana stated that in due time, she would of turned on her own son and started abusing him.
It was also shown that Adriana had a fairly high-ended average I.Q. and knew exactly what she was doing. She knew right from wrong and knew what she did wasnt acceptable behaviour. She chose to ignore what was right and continue with the torture.
What a shame that she took her sentencing hearing as a big joke, making small talk with her lawyer and laughing off and on through out the reading and testifying of the victims left behind–Summer’s family. The only time Adriana showed any remorse was when she was taking the stand in her own defence. By then, it was too late.
As my daughter Elizabeth said to Ardiana in the courtroom….At least thru out the years, Adriana will see her son grow up, she will get pictures and updates as he grows, she will eventually get visits from him as well. What a pity he will be told and will have to bear the shame and knowledge that his mother and father are murderers.
That his parents tortured and killed his step- sister. Elizabeth on the other hand gets to look at a pink marble urn….which holds whats left of her daughter. She will have memories of the happy times with Summer, but none of us will ever get to hear her lovely little voice, none of us will see her graduate from school, hear all about her first crush or watch her walk down the aisle on the biggest day of any girls life–her wedding.
No, we get to look and talk about a sweet child forever held in the arms of Jesus, but also forever imprisoned in a pink marble box…My heart breaks a little more every day….but Im holding out hope that something positive will come from this.
January 13 ,2009 at 5:46 am
Summer’s Grandma:
I’m so sorry for your grief. Please take comfort in the fact that she is in a better place and you will see her again.
I’m relieved that Jon and Adriana are going away for life. She laughs when the victim’s family testifies. Let’s see how she will laugh when she gets to prison and gets her butt kicked every day for being child killing bitch.
I hope her son wants nothing to do with either of his parents for killing his half sister. He should call the people who raise him parents and forget the other ones ever existed.
February 8 ,2009 at 10:57 am
To SummersGrandma,
I do not know if you still visit this website but on the chance that you do I want you and your family to know that even though Summer’s death is no longer in the news you and your family and especially your beautiful Summer are not forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are constantly with you all and I hope that in time you can heal and begin to enjoy life again as I know Summer would want you all to. She is now looking over you and no longer in pain but free from any agony or fear. This sweet little angel cares for the ones who loved her and none of us will ever forget your lovely grandchild as she captured our hearts.
February 19 ,2009 at 1:45 am
To Summer’s family:
I’m not sure if you’re reading this now but if you are let me assure you that Summer will NOT be forgotten. she is forever in all of the people’s hearts that know her story. I hope you can all make it through this difficult time as Summer would want you to.
To jon and Adrianna:
I hope you two both burn in hell for what you did to this poor little girl. What did Summer ever do to you? Do you have a reason for torturing and biting her? i dont think so. it makes me sick to realize that there a lot of people in this world that are monsters, like you two. i wish you the WORST OF LUCK AND HOPE YOU BOTH END UP IN PRISON FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIVES.
February 25 ,2009 at 12:45 am
To the “Grand mother”
It is too easy to say ” i am overseas” , and for your daughter to say she did everything possible. I am a mother too, and belive me, there are many things i would have done to save my children, to be in contact with her, not only ocassionally, but first of all, never leaved her alone.
I can´t sleep since I knew this story, just thinking how much this angel had suffered, for six months or so,. You know, I also have a mom, so she is a real Grand mother, we live in different cities but she call us every day and talk to my daughter and son, that is a grandmother, being aware of how the grandchildren are,… ” I am overseas”, is a ridiculous excuse, and your daughter, really deserve prission, for life.
My prayers are not with you, but with Summer Phelps soul. You seem to be aware of what is happening now, with the case, the trial, the prison,… but ¿ Where were you when your grandaughter needed you?…. overseas, i see., sorry, … I feel ok the baby is now in heaven, and not with such a family. Rest in peace, angel!
March 9 ,2009 at 2:12 pm
To the Grandmother:
I have to agree with Ana. My heart goes out to that precious baby. Your right I do not know the facts but why was your grandbaby living with her dad. It is very hard to prove a mother unfit to take away a child. Unless of course she did something terrible. Also in the interview with her I see no remorse for her baby’s dealth. If I was to lose a child I do not care how much time goes by I would be in tears. She just wants to know if Summer is angry with her — Hell ya she is. Rest in piece beautiful angel. Everyone that did not protect her can rot in hell.
March 12 ,2009 at 5:25 pm
summers grandmother:
After reading all of the comments made by people who have never met your family (just like me), i am absolutely disgusted.
i dont think that anyone should be talking about how you and summers mother never did anything to help because THEY WERENT THERE.
People are arguing about this poor child(rest in peace) who passed at the age of four!!
come on now. cant everyone just be respectful of summer.
–she seemed like a very happy child in the pictures iv seen on line.
its disturbing to see cases of child abuse on the news. and yet everytime, the age of the child seems to be getting younger and younger.
summer deserved to live. people need to stop bashing you and your daughter and blaming the abuse on you.
ARE YOU THE ONES WHO PHYSICALLY ABUSED HER??
NOOOOOO.
so pay no mind to those rude ppl who think they know what their saying.
March 25 ,2009 at 10:47 am
And let the finger-pointing begin.
“If only so-and-so had done this or not done that….”
Like most everyone else here, I don’t know the situation well enough to make a judgment call. They say hindsight is 20/20.
That being said, I think Summer’s father and stepmother should have gotten the death penalty. There’s no call for that kind of thing.
April 21 ,2009 at 11:04 am
E Phelps is just as guilty for what happened to Summer, she did not care,While Summer was alive,Living with her boyfriend,spending time with his 2 kids,not working,not trying to better her an Summer’s lives, Only what Bobby wanted, Liz had free food,cigs,weed an warm an cozy.She never tried to do right by Summer just what other people would give her or hand outs. Now that Summer is gone she’s(Liz) is gonna sue CPS,for not watching out for her daughter, That’s Bull-Shit .Why wasn’t She a good Mother
June 29 ,2009 at 3:13 pm
Before I start, I want to make clear that this post is in no way meant as a defense for Jonothan Lytle’s actions, nor is it an attempt to make any excuses for him. I just happen to have a unique perspective on him, his family, and the cycle of abuse and mental disease.
When I was a pre-teen/young teenager, my father lived with Jonathon’s mother (Janice), Jon, and his sister Suzie in Southern California, in what would be considered a common-law marriage (in states that still recognize them). I did not live with them, but since my father and I were close, I spent many weekends and summer vacations with them. Janice and my father met through AA. He had been sober a couple of years and she had recently joined the program to sober up after fleeing her abusive husband. Janice was never a stable individual and definitely had to have had many underlying psychological problems. She had a hard time coping with every-day tasks (including her children) and was prone to hysterical outbursts. From what I was told the kids biological father was much worse. He brutalized Janice and her 3 kids (Jon and Suzie had a brother that I meant once, but had already been diagnosed with schizophrenia and institutionalized). I do not know the full scope of the abuse, but it was clear that it was horrific. It was also very clear that all 3 of them had suffered serious, permanent effects from this abuse. While my father was extremely stable, he didn’t make much money and Janice contributed little to nothing. So, needless to say, they relied on state services to provide any help they could for the 3 of them. The state, of course, provided minimal assistance. Jon was in elementary school at the time and had trouble with everything from social interaction with other classmates and teachers, to struggling to keep even minimal grades. Suzie was too young for public school, but was already showing troubling signs in the same areas. My father struggled for years to provide the help they needed and somehow they managed to uphold some semblance of normal life for awhile. As bizarre as it seems now, of the 3 of them, I would have picked Jon to have the best odds of managing a normal, productive life. Around the time I turned 18 and joined the Army, they all moved to Washington, to be closer to Janice’s family and to get a fresh start. It wasn’t long after, that Suzie was diagnosed with schizophrenia and institutionalized. Jon still managed to get by in school and was even working at some points. Unfortunately, at this point, my father’s health was taking a turn for the worse. I saw my Father, Janice (who I would see one more time), and Jon for the last time around Christmas of 96′. My Father died in May of 97′. I saw Janice one last time, when my brother and I went up to WA to close out my Father’s estate. She was living with her sister and it was quite apparent that she wouldn’t be able to care for herself. I was never able to see Jon that trip, but admittedly I was more focused on my own grief at the time than on the fact that his last pillar of sanity was now gone. I hoped that since he had been the most stable and somewhat close to my Father, and being 17, that he would be able to keep on the straight and narrow. The last time I talked with him, he had left a message with my mother and I called him back. He asked about the Army, and I highly recommended it, thinking it would be a good way to instill some discipline and routine in his life and get him any help he still needed. That apparently never materialized though, and now I wonder if it would have made any difference. I never spoke to him again.
I’m now married with 2 kids of my own (11 years later). I started wondering how his life had turned out and if things weren’t going well, thought maybe I could help. That is when I found the news stories. It hit me harder than almost anything ever has. While we weren’t exactly family, we spent a lot of time together as kids and he was close to my Father, and I couldn’t fathom it at all. It’s been churning in my head still and I don’t see how I could ever come to terms with it in any sense. This overwhelming feeling that this could have been prevented by someone (even me) is horribly saddening. Abuse is a self-perpetuating cycle that takes serious involvement by family and proper authorities to end. I will spend the rest of my life wondering if I could have had any influence over him and his life if I had found a way to stay involved in it. Possibly this tragedy never would have happened.