Step-Grandfather pleads guilty in death of Lauren McConniel

A third suspect has been convicted in the death of 5-year-old Lauren McConniel.

As part of a plea agreement, Robert Lee pleaded guilty to aiding, inducing or causing neglect of a dependent resulting in death Monday.

Lee admitted in court that he participated in the death of the girl back in 2010. Lee said he talked to his step daughter, Brittany McConniel, about the excessive punishments she would inflict on her stepdaughter but admitted he never told authorities. Those punishments eventually led to Lauren's death.

Lauren McConniel died in March 2010, just six days after being taken to the hospital. She died as the result of brain damage and an unexplained ingestion of a lethal dose of salt. A forensic pediatrician testified that Lauren's condition was the result of malnutrition over a period of time. Doctors said Lauren also had several bruises on her body.

Testimony taken in 2009 also showed that Lauren lived with Lee and other members of the family for seven months when she was subjected to abuse.

Brittany McConniel was found guilty of child neglect in May in connection with Lauren's death. She was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

The plea agreement caps the prison term Lee could receive to no more than 40 years. Lee will be sentenced next month.