Midwest City, OK – A 38-year-old father was sentenced to 24 years in prison for the death of his 7-year-old daughter due to extreme abuse and starvation. Anthony Yonko pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Violet Mitchell.
Oklahoma County District Judge Cindy H. Truong announced the sentence, which includes an additional six years of supervised release following his prison term.
Violet was brought to Saint Anthony’s Midwest Hospital on August 2 after her parents claimed she was unresponsive and needed medical attention. Medical personnel noted she showed signs of rigor mortis and severe malnourishment, weighing only 25 pounds at the time of her death.
Yonko and the victims had been living at the Vista Green apartments near Oklahoma City. Initial statements from Yonko revealed inconsistencies regarding the circumstances leading up to his daughter’s death.
He first claimed that the family had been feeding Violet crackers and soup for a flu-like illness and had not visited a doctor since she was much younger. During subsequent interviews, his account varied significantly regarding who was present in the apartment at the time.
A medical examination later determined that Violet had died from an intestinal blockage caused by a foreign object, with malnutrition being a contributing factor.
The victim’s mother, Lisa Mitchell, is scheduled to stand trial next month on charges of second-degree murder. Two relatives, David Yonko and Tiffany Mitchell, have already pleaded guilty and received 20-year sentences.
Statements from relatives indicated abusive practices, including claims that the victim’s mouth had been glued shut on multiple occasions.
This case underscores a tragic series of events that led to the unnecessary loss of life, raising serious questions about child welfare and protections within the family system.
