A statement from Mollie Tibbetts’ mother Laura Calderwood was read in court before yesterday’s sentencing of Cristhian  Bahena-Rivera — who was found guilty of first-degree murder in Mollie’s 2018 death. Sarah Harms from the prosecutor’s office read Calderwood’s statement during the proceedings carried on Court TV.

Calderwood outlined in her statement the day the sheriff showed up with tears in his eyes to let her know they had found Mollie’s body.  Calderwood said it shattered her world, and then she described in the statement how her mother had always faithfully believed Mollie would be found alive, and how she told her news.

The judge then read the mandatory sentence for the first-degree murder conviction, life in prison.

Bahena-Rivera listened without showing any emotion during the proceeding. He declined his opportunity to make a statement, and has 30 days to appeal his sentence.

Court TV