Man who threw a boy off a mall balcony given 19-year sentence

The man who walked into the Mall of America in Minnesota “looking for someone to kill” and then threw a 5-year-old boy off a third-floor balcony was sentenced on Monday to nearly 20 years in prison.

Emmanuel Aranda, 24, of Minneapolis pleaded guilty last month to attempted first-degree murder in the April attack. The child, identified only as Landen, survived the 40-foot fall, but suffered massive head trauma and fractured bones in his arms and legs. His family has said he’s still recovering.

Landen’s parents didn’t attend the hearing, but said in statements addressed to Aranda and read aloud in court that they forgive him and are praying for him.

“You chose to think about yourself that day, what you were feeling and wanted to do to someone else,” Landen’s mother wrote. “I’m sad you chose anger and hatred. Something really bad must have happened to you for you to want to do this to a sweet, innocent little boy. I’m sorry for whatever you’ve gone through. I hope God can save you and show you what His love is all about someday.”

Read more: https://www.statesman.com/zz/news/20190603/man-who-threw-boy-off-mall-balcony-given-19-year-sentence