Stepmom gets life in prison after 3-year-old died with over 50 signs of trauma: ‘Justice was served today’

An East Alabama woman has been sentenced to life in prison for the abuse and death of her 3-year-old stepdaughter, who had over 50 signs of trauma on her body and whose head had been shaved when she died three years ago.

Haley Dee Metz, 33, pleaded guilty in September to aggravated child abuse of Aydah DiMaso, but the sentence was not agreed upon in advance, meaning Metz entered a "blind plea." This meant that the judge would decide her fate. On Friday, Etowah County Circuit Judge William Ogletree sentenced Metz to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Metz’s husband, 25-year-old Nikilas DiMaso, also pleaded guilty earlier this year to capital murder and conspiracy to commit child abuse. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Following Metz’s sentencing, Aydah’s grandmother, Shundra Powe Davis, expressed relief and gratitude, saying, “We are so thankful for the outcome. Justice was served today.”

According to charging documents, Aydah died in October 2021 as a result of being beaten with DiMaso’s “hands and/or fists.” She was found unresponsive in a bathtub after family members called police to request a welfare check at the DiMaso home on Crestview Drive.

Family members said that DiMaso had gained custody of Aydah less than eight months before her death, despite the maternal grandparents’ efforts to have the child placed in their care.

A wrongful death lawsuit was filed last year by Aydah’s family against the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) and individual caseworkers, alleging their failure to protect Aydah from ongoing abuse and neglect. The lawsuit claims DHR officials overlooked multiple warning signs, including filthy living conditions in the home, drug use by DiMaso—particularly a heroin addiction—and concerning changes in Aydah's behavior.

The lawsuit accuses the system of systematically failing to intervene, allowing Aydah to remain in a dangerous environment despite clear evidence she was at risk.

“This case represents an egregious failure of the system that is supposed to protect our most vulnerable children,” said Tommy James, an attorney for Aydah’s family. “Aydah’s death could and should have been prevented. We are seeking justice for Aydah and accountability for those whose conduct led to her tragic death.”

Aydah’s family had described her as a sweet, giggling child loved by her grandparents, who had fought to gain custody. In a 2021 GoFundMe post, they described her as having an "infectious giggle" and said she was deeply cherished by those who fought to protect her.

Davis recalled the emotional atmosphere in the courtroom on Friday, where pictures and text messages shown during the trial were so disturbing that she, her husband, and mother had to leave for a time. Even the judge eventually commented that he had “heard enough.” The courtroom was filled with friends, family, law enforcement, and Etowah County prosecutors, all present to ensure justice for Aydah.

“I am incredibly grateful to these remarkable individuals for ensuring Aydah received justice,” Davis wrote in a post on the Justice for Aydah Facebook page.

Now that both Metz and DiMaso are behind bars, Davis said the family is focused on ensuring that Aydah’s legacy leads to lasting change. “The fight is taking a new direction now,” she said. “With both of these individuals imprisoned, we can begin the important work of honoring Aydah’s name through laws that protect other innocent lives from such tragedy.”