Man Gets 50 Years In Fatal Carjacking

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A 26-year-old man convicted six weeks ago of carjacking and murder in the death of a young mother who was struck and killed as the man tried to get away from police was sentenced Thursday to consecutive sentences that will total 50 years in prison.

Prosecutors said Santeris McKinney was driving at speeds up to 100 mph in rush hour traffic Jan. 12 after an armed robbery and carjacking on Beach Boulevard.

The Florida Highway Patrol said McKinney lost control of the stolen van he was driving on Deerwood Park Boulevard and struck a car driven by 24-year-old Amanda Rengifo.

Rengifo died at the scene.

McKinney was convicted on Sept. 30 of four charges including felony murder, aggravated fleeing and carjacking. Judge Charles Arnold sentenced McKinney to serve two concurrent 30-year sentences on the murder and fleeing charges plus a consecutive 20-year sentence for carjacking.

Rengifo's family said that with the man who killed their daughter now in prison, their ongoing concern is the well-being of the victim's 3- and 6-year-old children.

The older child, Lisbelle, is now living with her father in Orlando. The younger child, Emilio remains with Rengifo's family in Jacksonville.

Video:Victim's Family Seeks Custody Of Children

Rengifo's aunt and uncle are trying to get permanent custody of Lisbelle so that the family can remain together. An attorney for Lisbelle's father told Channel 4's Vickie Pierre that while he would like to see the children together, he plans to seek permanent custody of Lisbelle.

"She was a very loving and very devoted mother to her two kids," said Tessie Romero, Rengifo's aunt. "The 3-year-old is constantly asking for mommy and also asking for his sister. We just keep telling them she's an angel in heaven watching over them."

A custody hearing is scheduled in family court later this month.

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