When Ryan McConniel married Brittany Lee in October 2007, he brought his daughters from his first marriage with him. Ryan believed that Brittany would make a wonderful stepmother to his girls, and he trusted her to care for them while he worked full-time. Toward the end of 2009, Lauren began exhibiting disturbing behaviors, ones that Brittany blamed on the abuse Lauren supposedly suffered at the hands of her mother. Brittany always had an explanation for bruises and problems Lauren had, and even though Ryan knew better, he turned a blind eye to Lauren's increasing deterioration. Listen to this week's episode to hear more about the sad and terrible death of 5-year-old Lauren McConniel.____________>Enjoy ad-free and early releases of our public episodes PLUS over 100 exclusive private episodes of CRIMES AND CONSEQUENCES bY going to Patreon.com/tntcrimes or Crimesandconsequences.com. You can also enjoy them through our Apple Podcast Channel.Facebook and IG: @hardcoretruecrimeSources:1) Court Records2) Forget Me Not: Lauren Michele McConniel3) The Herald Times: 2 sentenced in malnutrition death of Muncie girl, 54) Star Press: No sentence reduction in fatal abuse case5) WTHR News 13: Police: signs of dead girl's abuse not reported6) Remembering Lauren McConniel Facebook PageA SPECIAL "THANK YOU" TO PATREON MEMBER EMILY R. FOR THIS CASE SUGGESTION!