WAUSEON — Amanda Mangas tried to be the best mother to her young son, even when other family members told her to stay away from the boy’s father. 

They saw signs of a tumultuous relationship between Ms. Mangas, 23, and James Ramey, 28. They warned her about the danger they perceived. Still, Ms. Mangas, 23, tried to include Ramey in activities for their young son, Winston Ramey.

Fulton County Prosecutor Scott Haselman read in a courtroom Friday a prepared statement by Deborah Mangas, the stepmother of Ms. Mangas, as Ramey stood accused of murder.

“She loved [Winston] with all her heart. Even when she shouldn’t have, she still tried to include you — the father — because at the time she thought that was best for Winston,” Mr. Haselman read.

Now, the family must one day tell the young child what happened to his loving mother: Ramey killed his son’s mother, a crime he admitted to before Fulton County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Robinson.

The East Toledo man avoided a possible death sentence after he pleaded guilty to murder with a gun specification, violating a personal protection order, and kidnapping charges. 

Ramey, of the 300 block of Fassett Street, was immediately sentenced by Judge Robinson to 27½ years to life for the charges in the March, 2017, shooting death.

He admitted to breaking into Ms. Mangas’ home and shooting her at a residence in the 900 block of Fernwood Avenue in Delta, Ohio. Ramey then kidnapped the baby and Mrs. Mangas and fled the state.

Officials issued an Amber Alert and tracked Ramey by his cell phone as he drove the baby and Mrs. Mangas. He was arrested in Indiana the same day.

Ramey in court Friday apologized to the child, to Ms. Mangas' family and friends, to the court, and to law enforcement members who worked the case.

“I can't fathom doing the next 27 years to possibly the rest of my life in prison,” he said. “The real pain comes from knowing I took my son’s beautiful mother from him — that Mike and Vickie no longer have their beautiful baby girl.”

Ms. Mangas’ family and friends packed into seats in the courthouse, passing a small box of tissues between themselves. Vickie Mangas-Eckenrode, Ms. Mangas’ mother, hunched over with one of those tissues over her eyes during the proceeding.

Ms. Mangas’ father, Mike Mangas, wrapped his arm around Mrs. Mangas during Friday’s hearing. Mrs. Mangas wiped tears from her eyes as Judge Robinson read details of the charges. 

WATCH: Ramey’s attorney Dave Klucas discusses the guilty plea

“Really, there is nothing this court proceeding can provide the family that’s going to give them back what they really desire — which was Amanda,” Mr. Haselman said. “It’s an unmitigated tragedy on every level. We’ll have a little boy that will grow up without a mother and that can never be undone.”

Ramey’s attorney Dave Klucas said his client’s sentence was fair.

Judge Robinson said Friday Ramey’s conduct in the courtroom had been “exemplary.” 

“It’s unfortunate that did not occur prior to the time you committed this horrific act. But I think you understand you’re going to be paying a serious penalty,” the judge said. 

RELATED: Judge sets bond at $1 million for Delta slaying suspect

Family declined to comment following the hearing.

WATCH: Prosecutor Scott Haselman talks about Ramey’s guilty plea

Ramey was charged with 22 counts, including aggravated murder, attempted murder, aggravated burglary, and abduction. The additional charges and gun specifications were dismissed.

Though he originally faced capital murder charges, Mr. Klucas, said that, if Ramey had been found guilty following a trial, in mitigation the jury may not have found the death penalty appropriate because of personal circumstances in the man’s history and upbringing.

Should Ramey appeal the sentence, it must be filed within 30 days of the judgment entry being filed. 

Ramey’s case was the second capital murder case before the Fulton County Common Pleas Court in recent weeks. The other was the case of James D. Worley, 59, of rural Delta, who was found guilty in late March of aggravated murder charges with capital specifications in the July, 2016  kidnapping and asphyxiation death of Sierah Joughin, 20, of Metamora.

Worley has appealed his death sentence.

Contact Allison Dunn at adunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6506 or on Twitter @AllisonDBlade.

First Published July 6, 2018, 2:56 p.m.