The third-degree murder conviction of a Clearfield County woman in the death of a 2-year-old child has been upheld by the Pennsylvania Superior Court.

Jennifer Ann Medzie, now 28, of Allport, was convicted of murder, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children and simple assault as the result of an incident that occurred on Nov. 15, 2013.

At the time, Medzie was living with her boyfriend, Cody Lauder, and his 2-year-old daughter, Sophia.

While the father was at work on the morning of Nov. 15, 2013, Medzie was getting the child dressed for the day.

The child suddenly went limp in her arms, according to a summary of the facts by the Superior Court panel that reviewed her conviction.

The child eventually was flown to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for treatment of what the attending physician indicated was a head injury stemming from “non-accidental shaking.”

The child died and initially the cause of death was listed as undetermined by the coroner, Dr. Kenneth Clark, but he indicated the injuries appeared to be caused by blunt force trauma.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Harry Kamerow of Centre County, after reviewing the medical and autopsy reports, determined the manner of death to be homicide.

Kamerow also noted that symptoms from the injury would have been evident almost immediately.

The only person, according to state police investigation, who was with the child at time the symptoms became evident was Medzie.

She was convicted after a three-day trial in August 2017.

Clearfield County President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman sentenced her to 20 to 40 years in prison.

Medzie is incarcerated in the State Correctional Institution at Cambridge Springs.

In a post-conviction petition, her appeals attorney Steven P. Trialonas of State College stated her trial counsel from Blair County was “ineffective” and sought to overturn Medzie’s conviction and sentence.

The primary argument was that her trial counsel failed to pursue an “alternate perpetrator claim,” contending that the child could have received her injuries from actions by others.

The child, for instance, had been hospitalized the night before her injuries became apparent while in the custody of grandparents.

During that visit, hospital records showed a “yellow bruise” on her forehead.

The Superior Court panel that included Judges Judith F. Olson, Victor P. Stabile and Mary P. Murray concluded the failure of the defense counsel to seek an alternative perpetrator had “arguable merit,” but the panel dismissed it, pointing to Kamerow’s finding that symptoms of the injury “would have started immediately when (the child) sustained the injury.”

The appeals court stressed that Medzie was the only person with the victim when the symptoms began.

Also the trial counsel emphasized that in view of those findings, he could not find an expert who would testify that the fatal injuries resulted from a preexisting illness or injury.

The Superior Court explained the trial counsel determined that the alternate-perpetrator defense was not viable and instead attempted to show that his client had no intent to kill the child and therefore avoid a conviction for first-degree murder that carries with it life in prison.

“Given all the foregoing circumstances, we conclude (trial) counsel’s strategy was reasonable,” according to the appeals court opinion.

In all, the defense presented 12 issues for review, including a claim that a Facebook post by Medzie to a friend prior to the child’s death was not properly authenticated and should not have been presented to the jury.

In that post, Medzie allegedly stated to her friend, “I’m sick and tired of watching her (the victim). I’m going to end up hurting her, more than likely me. I’m not kidding.”

Medzie’s appeals attorney faulted her trial counsel for not objecting to the introduction of the Facebook post.

“An objection based on authenticity would have failed, and counsel’s failure to lodge an objection was not prejudicial to (Medzie),” the Superior Court panel concluded.