19-year-old sentenced for involvement in murder of pregnant woman and her unborn child in Decatur

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A 19-year-old from Decatur was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in the shooting death of a 20-year-old mother and her unborn child.

Tarlan Mackey was originally charged with 3 counts of murder, 3 counts of homicide of an unborn child, 3 counts of aggravated battery and a count of residential burglar in the March 2023 death of Janiah Thomas—who was 26 weeks pregnant.

Court records show that Mackey pleaded guilty to residential burglary on April 16. All other charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

He was sentenced to 10 years at the Illinois Department of Corrections, followed by one year of mandatory supervised release.

The shooting happened in the 1300 block of North Woodford Street on March 8, 2023. Thomas and her 4-year-old daughter were both shot. The daughter survived, but lost an eye in the shooting. Thomas died from her injuries at the hospital.

Mattavius Anderson, Mattarion Anderson and Mackey were arrested for the shooting.

Last month, Mattarion Anderson had a bench trial that lasted two days. Judge Thomas Griffith found him guilty of killing Thomas and her unborn baby.

Mattavius Anderson's case is still in the pre-trial phase.

Mackey will receive credit for the time he has already served in custody from March 10, 2023, to April 15, 2025. Additionally, as part of the plea agreement, Mackey will be required to participate in substance abuse treatment while in the Department of Corrections.