A Trust Betrayed: Babysitter Sentenced to 100 Years for Enabling Horrific Abuse in San Diego

In a case that exposes an unimaginable breach of trust, 31-year-old Brittney Mae Lyon has been sentenced to 100 years to life in a California state prison after facilitating the sexual abuse of young girls under her care—including specially vulnerable children with disabilities.

1. A Sentence That Reflects the Horror

On Thursday at Vista Superior Court, Lyon received a sentence of 100 years to life, after pleading guilty in May to multiple felony sex offenses involving children. Prosecutors detailed her role in aiding her boyfriend, Samuel Cabrera, in abusing girls as young as three years old, some of whom had autism and were nonverbal. The IndependentNBC 7 San Diego

The sentence reflects both the cruelty of the acts and the betrayal of the trust parents placed in her. Unlike Cabrera—already serving multiple life terms—Lyon’s plea and later sentencing became public today, reinforcing the severity of her crimes.

2. Circumstances Behind the Case

Between 2014 and 2016, Lyon advertised herself as a babysitter, even marketing a specialization in caring for children with special needs. This provided her with access to several young girls in their own homes—access she abused. Prosecutors revealed that she “bartered” access to these children with Cabrera in exchange for attention or dates. The IndependentNBC 7 San Diego

The victim count includes girls between ages three and seven, two of whom were diagnosed with autism. One of the victims, nonverbal at the time, ultimately spoke out, leading to Lyon’s arrest in 2016. During the investigation, authorities recovered hundreds of disturbing videos stored on six hard drives in Cabrera's vehicle. These recordings depicted abuse across multiple locations—including the victims' homes, Lyon’s residence, and Cabrera’s residence—and often showed the children drugged or bound. The IndependentNBC 7 San Diego

3. Families Speak — Justice for Betrayal

The sentencing hearing was marked by raw emotion and condemnation from victims’ parents:

“You knew how to win our trust and manipulate to get what you want,” one parent said.
Another remarked, “You are the most sick and evil monster that society has,” underscoring the profound emotional damage wrought by Lyon’s betrayal. NBC 7 San Diego

Deputy District Attorney Jodi Breton emphasized Lyon’s deliberate involvement—not as a coerced bystander, but as an active participant, facilitating contact for sexual assault.

4. Legal Context & Parole Concerns

California's decree of 100 years to life typically means Lyon will remain incarcerated for nearly the remainder of her life. Still, under existing state parole laws, she could become eligible for a parole review after serving a third of her sentence—around 33 years.^1 This possibility has triggered legislative action: local officials are backing bills such as Senate Bill 286 and Assembly Bill 47, aiming to close this early parole loophole for violent sex offenders. HoodlineNBC 7 San Diego

5. Why This Case Reverberates

Trust Exploited

Parents trusted Lyon with their most vulnerable children. This case is a grim reminder that predators can cloak themselves in legitimacy and goodwill.

Targeting the Vulnerable

The targeted victims—children with special needs—highlight the particular urgency of creating safeguards for vulnerable populations.

Legal and Policy Implications

The sentencing, paired with efforts to reform parole eligibility, may lead to tighter criminal justice protocols and a reexamination of how caregivers are vetted legally and online.

Summary Box of Key Facts