Golden – A Lakewood man who beat his girlfriend’s 22-month-old daughter to death has been sentenced to life in prison plus 48 years.
Robert Edward Hill, 23, received the sentence Friday in Jefferson County District Court.
Hill had been charged with first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death for the 2004 murder of Tivia Petefish.
Prosecutor Lori Tolle asked for the maximum sentence, reminding the court of Hill’s previous convictions, beginning when he was a juvenile.
Hill was charged in Jefferson County as a habitual child abuser.
In 2003, Hill was sentenced to three years of probation for the severe head injury he caused by shaking his six-week-old daughter, Jessica, while living in Broomfield.
A Jefferson County jury in September found Hill guilty of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.
For two weeks prior to Tivia’s fatal injuries, Sara Petefish noticed the girl had bruises, bumps, a burn and bloody lip after being left in Hill’s care. She said Hill always had a good explanation.
On Dec. 5, 2004, Sara Petefish returned from the grocery store and found Tivia unconscious and bleeding and called 911.
Hill initially told police that Tivia had fallen from a bed.
Doctors at Children’s Hospital in Denver found severe head trauma, swelling and bleeding of the brain, severe injuries to her abdomen and pancreas and bruising over most of her body.
Three days later, Tivia was taken off of life support and she died.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
