Rehoboth Mother Convicted of Murdering Her Young Son

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today that Kimberly Peno has been convicted of first degree murder for the March 2010 death of her two-year-old son, Timothy.

The defendant was convicted by a jury of her peers around 3:15 p.m. today in Fall River Superior Court after a six day jury trial. She was immediately sentenced by Superior Court Judge Renee Dupuis to life in state prison with no possibility of parole. The jury deliberated for about 10 hours over the course of two days before returning its verdict this afternoon.

The case was prosecuted by Co-First Assistant District Attorney Karen O’Sullivan and Assistant District Attorney Mary O’Neil.

Ms. Peno, 44, of Rehoboth, was convicted of beating Timothy to death in the basement of her Rehoboth home on March 17, 2010 after drinking heavily and smoking crack cocaine. The boy was driven to the Seekonk Police and Fire Department by his parents after his father found the defendant with him in the basement. Timothy was rushed to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, RI, where he died the next day as a result of the severe injuries to his face, head and body.

“I am very pleased that the jury held this defendant accountable for the brutal murder of her two year old child.  Any time a child is seriously injured or killed, it impacts us all. In this case, it is difficult to comprehend that a defenseless child was killed by his own mother.  This defendant had no business having custody of this child and tragically it resulted in his death,” said District Attorney Quinn. “Special thanks to First Assistant District Attorney Karen O’Sullivan, Assistant District Attorney Mary O’Neil and all the investigators for their dedication in obtaining a conviction on this case.”

Contact:
Gregg Miliote
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—cell