Misty Ray Sentencing
Photos courtesy of the Des Moines Register

Marc Ray Sentencing

The adoptive parents of 16-year-old Sabrina Ray, who died of severe malnutrition on May 12, 2017 in Perry, have been given the maximum sentences allowed for their involvement in her death.

Friday afternoon, 43-year-old Marc Ray and 41-year-old Misty Ray appeared at the Dallas County Courthouse for their sentencing hearing. Both had reached plea agreements with the state and wished to be sentenced at the same time. Marc was found guilty of one count of child endangerment resulting in death, a class B felony, and three counts of third degree kidnapping, a class C felony. He was given 50 years in prison for the first count, and 10 years each for the others. His 80 years will run consecutively, and he will be eligible for parole after serving 70% of his most serious crime, which is 35 years.

Misty was found guilty of first degree kidnapping, a class A felony, as well as two counts of third degree kidnapping. The first count has a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison without parole, and her extra 20 years for the other two counts will run consecutively to the life sentence. In addition to the prison sentences, the Rays were ordered to pay $150,000 each in victim restitution, which will go to Sabrina’s heirs of law. Marc and Misty are the third and fourth individuals to be sentenced for their involvement in the teen’s death in 2017 at the Ray’s home in Perry.

Their son, Justin Ray, and Misty’s mother, Carla Bousman, were sentenced to 10 and 20 years in prison, respectively. The final defendant, Misty’s niece Josie Bousman, had agreed to testify against the other four, and was to be tried separately. No date has been set at this time for Josie’s plea hearing and sentencing. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information on this case as it’s made official.