Final person sentenced in Akron toddler's meth death

AKRON, Ohio - A judge in Summit County sentenced a 20-year-old man to prison time for his involvement in the death of a 17-month-old boy who died after ingesting meth.

Randy Legg, 20, will spend the next seven years in prison for the death of Patrick Lerch.

Legg pleaded guilty last month to involuntary manslaughter and illegal possession of chemicals to manufacture drugs.

His three co-defendants were sentenced on Sept. 25.

The toddler died Feb. 26 after ingesting large amounts of methamphetamine.

The child's mother, Heather Lerch, 21, moved into Legg's home on St. Leger Avenue just days before Patrick died.

Patrick was kept in the home's rat-infested basement in the care of Legg's brother, Ronald Legg, 22, and Allen Kostra, 25, both of Akron. The two were cooking and high on meth throughout Patrick's last days.

Kostra pleaded guilty on Aug. 16 to involuntary manslaughter, child endangering and illegal manufacture of drugs and was sentenced to nine years in prison.

A jury found Heather Lerch guilty of murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangering on Aug. 27. She was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 22 years.

On Sept. 21, Ronald Legg pleaded guilty to murder, child endangering and illegal manufacturing of drugs and was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 27 years.