Man sentenced in baby niece's death

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- She was just four months old, and died at the hands of her uncle. Friday, the man who killed that mother's little girl was sentenced in court.

For the family of 4 1/2 month old Makayla Aseltine the nine year sentence will never be enough.

"Who do you trust if not family," asked Karen Masella-Chartier, Makayla's mother. "I trusted him with everything that I had and it's the worst betrayal that could ever be inflicted on you."

Chartier and her family spoke to the court about the devastation her daughter's death has caused and the betrayal they feel for David Canizares who admitted losing his temper with his niece and shaking her violently while watching her in October 2009, along with his 14-month-old daughter. He accepted a plea agreement for manslaughter.

"When you trust somebody with your child and somebody pretends to be your best friend and you're their best friend for seven years and then they turn around and beat your four-month-old in cold blood, yes there is a sense of betrayal," said Tim Aseltine, Makayla's dad. "He's a...he's an evil man, he's a monster and we didn't see it."

Canizares's family was also in court. To them he is not a monster. He is a kind, intelligent, and generous father who regrets what happened and misses the daughter he has not been able to see. Canizares told the court the same saying, 'I am truly so very sorry for this tragedy.'

"I have no feelings towards him at all," Chartier said. "I just think it's just a way for him to go away peacefully and clear his conscience, but for us it will be meaningless forever."

Before Friday, Canizares was free on a $1 million bond. He was living in Florida and was close to earning a masters degree.

Now he heads to prison.