The mother of the Spirit Lake toddler who was beaten to death last Januarywill spend a great deal of time in prison. Heidi Watkins has been sentencedto 50 years in prison on child endangerment charges. Watkins’ two-year-olddaughter, Shelby Duis (doo-is), died January 4th at the Spirit Lake homeWatkins shared with her boyfriend, Jesse Wendelsdorf. Wendelsdorf wasacquitted of murder in July. Watkins was acquitted of murder but was foundguilty of multiple counts of child endangerment in August. Today, the judgesaid Watkins committed the ultimate betrayal of her child. Watkins willappeal the decision according to Watkins’ attorney, Larry Stoller(stoh’-ler). Dickinson County Attorney Ned Bjornsted (burn-sted) saystoday’s sentencing should bring closure to the case.
