A Minnesota man who threw a 5-year-old boy over a mall balcony has received his sentence for what the child’s father called an “evil and selfish” act.
Emmanuel Aranda was at the Mall of America on April 12 when he approached the child, Landen Hoffmann, and his mother outside a Rainforest Cafe, Dearly reported.
When the mom asked Aranda if they were in his way, the 24-year-old picked up Landen and threw him over a third-floor balcony.
The 5-year-old plunged to the ground but didn’t sustain life-threatening injuries. The victim’s pastor said the doctors called the child’s quick recovery “truly a miracle.”
Last month, Aranda pleaded guilty to attempted premeditated first-degree murder for the incident.
He told authorities that he threw the child over the balcony because he was upset that women at the mall had been rejecting his advances and that he was “looking for someone to kill.”
On Monday, he was sentenced to 19 years in prison at a court hearing, Inside Edition reports.
A statement from the child’s father was read in court by a prosecutor. It read:
“Your act was evil and selfish. You chose to listen to the worst parts of yourself that day. That is where your impact on us stops. You will take nothing more from us.”
A statement from the child’s mother, also read in court, stated:
“God will judge you someday and I have peace with that. I hand it off to him and you will take none of my thoughts ever again. I am done with you.”
A GoFundMe for Landen raised over a $1 million to help cover medical costs. His family said in an update late last month:
Over the past several weeks, our son has suffered from non-life threatening complications from his injuries which have required additional procedures to correct. He is recovering, and his spirit is strong – but there is still a long road ahead. We are thankful to Jesus for lifting us up and providing ongoing healing.
The family said they “continue to ask for your prayers” and privacy as Landen recovers.
