Lincoln woman sentenced for evidence tampering in child abuse case against son

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Lincoln woman will spend time in jail for interfering in a child abuse investigation into her son.

Karen Vestecka, 60, was sentenced Thursday to 470 days in jail for evidence tampering and false reporting.

Judge Kevin McManaman gave her credit for 125 days already served behind bars.

That means she will be out of jail in just under a year.

SEE ALSO: Lincoln mother gets decades in prison for death of 22-month-old child

In March 2023, 22-month-old Rudy Requejo Ybarra Jr. died after suffering a brain bleed and other injuries.

The Lincoln Police Department launched a child abuse investigation into Vestecka’s son, Joshua Tackett.

While surveilling Tackett’s home, officers saw Vestecka go inside and come out with a pair of shoes and a rifle case.

SEE ALSO: Lincoln woman convicted of evidence tampering in child abuse investigation into son

Court documents say she knew the police would be talking to her son.

So she took the gun out of his home because, as a felon, Tackett was barred from owning firearms.

After jail, Vestecka will be on probation for a year.

SEE ALSO: Protesters in Lincoln demand justice for 22-month-old boy who died

Tackett was found guilty of intentional child abuse resulting in death.

He was sentenced in October to 85 years to life in prison.

The boy’s mother, Brittany Cook, was also convicted in his death and also got 85 years to life.

Tackett and Cook are appealing their convictions.

SEE ALSO: ‘Our little hero’: Family of 22-month-old Lincoln boy donates his organs, shares his story