MILWAUKEE - Crystal Keith was sentenced Tuesday to 50 years in prison for beating her 13 month-old nephew Christopher Thomas to death and torturing his 2 year-old sister.

Thomas died November 11th, a day after after Keith, 25, severely beat him in her home in the 3000 block of S. 12th St. She was convicted in May of first degree reckless homicide and physical abuse of a child.

"I apologize for my wrongdoing," she sobbed before learning of her sentence. "I take responsibility. I was just trying to help."

Keith was also sentenced to 25 years of extended supervision.

Thomas was placed in her care in June 2008 after a foster couple from West Allis who had been looking after Thomas tried unsuccessfully to adopt him.

Child welfare officials visited Keith's home several times in the months leading up to Thomas' death, and the case sparked major changes in the Milwaukee Bureau of Child Welfare.