Des Moines man sentenced to 60 years in prison for death and injury of infants

A Des Moines man was sentenced to 60 years in prison Wednesday for the death of one infant and the injury of another.

Devin Christopher Luckett, 27, entered an Alford plea – acknowledging the evidence against him -- to child endangerment causing death, a B felony; child endangerment causing a serious injury, a C felony; and animal neglect with serious injury or death, an aggravated misdemeanor.

District Judge Celene Gogerty sentenced Mr. Luckett to consecutive terms on the child endangerment charges and concurrently on the animal neglect. He also must pay a $150,000 civil penalty to the child’s estate.

Mr. Luckett was accused of the death of 3-month-old Keyontay Webster in February 2023. Mr. Luckett, who was the child’s primary caretaker, said the child fell off a couch. Keyontay died two days later at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.

While authorities awaited autopsy results, Mr. Luckett’s 3-month-old son suffered fractured ribs and a broken femur while in his care in August 2023.

He separately was charged for animal neglect in August 2023 for the neglect of two dogs.

Keyontay’s mother, Keonna, told the court that her child’s organs were donated to other children. “His life won’t go in vain,” she wrote.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant County Attorneys Nan Horvat and Meggan Guns and assisted by Lindsay Scott. The Polk County Attorney’s Office thanks the Des Moines Police Department for their thorough investigation.