An Oklahoma father has been sentenced for the horrific abuse and starvation that led to the death of his 7-year-old daughter, Violet Mitchell. Anthony Yonko appeared in an Oklahoma County courtroom Thursday, where he faced sentencing for his role in the young girl’s death. “Don’t put me on the news,” Yonko said as News 4 cameras filmed him entering the courthouse.
Four adults were arrested in connection with Violet’s death: Yonko, her mother Lisa Mitchell, her aunt Tiffany Mitchell, and her uncle David Yonko. In August of last year, they brought Violet’s lifeless body to St. Anthony’s Medical Center, where doctors immediately knew something was terribly wrong.
According to police reports, Violet was 3 feet 1 inch tall and weighed only 25 pounds — roughly half the normal weight for a child her age. She was described as blue, stiff, and covered in dust and soot. Hospital staff also documented multiple bruises, signs of internal injuries, and red fluid seeping from her mouth.
Investigators later learned from a cousin that Violet had suffered months of brutal abuse. Her parents reportedly beat her, cursed at her, and even poured hot food on her as punishment. Neighbor Tera Day told News 4 she had given Violet food not long before her death after realizing how malnourished the child was.
“I took her because she was hungry,” Day said. “She looked malnourished. I fed her chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, and carrots. She didn’t tell me anything about her parents, just that they loved her. That’s all she said, and she cried, and I took her back home.”
Violet’s mother, Lisa Mitchell, is scheduled for a jury trial in mid-November. Her aunt and uncle each received 20-year prison sentences for their involvement. During sentencing, Yonko’s defense argued that he was “mentally challenged” and requested a 15-year sentence, but prosecutors emphasized the severity of Violet’s suffering.
The state noted that Yonko and Mitchell had never taken their daughter to a doctor — except at birth and on the day she died. Before the judge handed down his sentence, Yonko addressed the court. “I love my babies, I wish it were me, not my baby. I love my daughter so much. Well, here I am. Whatever you want to do, go ahead.”