A Jackson County man has been sentenced to life in prison without mercy for the rape and murder of 10-month-old Emmaleigh Barringer. Benjamin Taylor of Cottageville did not speak in court at the sentencing hearing. For the charge of death of a child by child abuse, Taylor was sentenced to 40 years, and for the charge of sexual abuse by a guardian, he was sentenced to at least 10 years. The sentences will run consecutively. Taylor was arrested back in October of 2016.