Nearly two years after the death of 16-year-old Sabrina Ray of Perry, those most responsible were sentenced for their involvement.

Friday afternoon, 43-year-old Marc Ray and his wife 41-year-old Misty Ray were given the maximum penalties for the crimes to which they pleaded guilty. Fifth Judicial Court Judge Terry Rickers rendered the sentences in front of a packed courtroom, which included Sabrina’s biological family and Perry Police Officer Josh Sienkiewicz, who was one of the responding officers who found Sabrina dead in the Ray’s home. The hearing began with statements from the prosecution, Assistant Dallas County Attorneys Jeannine Ritchie and Stacy Ritchie. They both explained why they felt the maximum sentences were appropriate for the Rays.

Their statements were then followed by several victim impact statements. There were very few dry eyes in the courtroom as the state-appointed guardian, Yvonne Naanep, read statements from Sabrina’s younger adopted sisters — referred to as “HR” and “MR” due to them being minors — who were locked in the room with Sabrina as she died. The messages from the two girls painted a picture of the horrors each of them experienced over the course of several years.

Once all the impact statements were read, the defense had a chance to speak. The attorneys for Marc indicated he was ready to accept any penalty, and he declined to say anything in his own defense. Misty’s attorneys requested that her sentences run concurrently, as tacking 20 years onto a life sentence seemed unnecessary. Misty then read a statement where she apologized to the surviving children and to Sabrina, and took responsibility for the actions of the other four defendants in the case.

With all the information at hand, Rickers decided to impose the maximum sentences allowed. For Marc, who was found guilty of a class B felony for child endangerment resulting in death and three class C felonies for third degree kidnapping, that was 80 years in prison, with parole eligibility after 35 years. Misty, who pleaded guilty to a class A felony for first degree kidnapping in addition to two counts of third degree kidnapping, was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years, with no chance of parole. Additionally, the couple will have to pay a total of $300,000 in victim restitution, which will go to Sabrina’s heirs at law.

Rickers then spoke to his reasoning for the maximum sentences. He said, “This court has no jurisdiction to determine whether the offenders before me are inherently good or evil. That jurisdiction lies with a much higher authority. Nevertheless, Mr. Ray, Mrs. Ray, your actions and your treatment of your daughters in this case could be fairly described as both cruel and evil.” The Ray’s sentencing brings to a close a process that began with Sabrina’s death on May 12, 2017. There is one final defendant who will be tried for their connection, Misty’s niece, Josie Bousman, but with the two principal figures headed to prison, there was a sense of resolution in the courtroom.

Raccoon Valley Radio will continue to bring you more information on this case as it becomes official.