Sunday, May 19, 2013

The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

Man pleads guilty in baby shaking death
Posted: 12.06.2012 at 7:15 AM
0
Photo

(AP) -- LAMAR, Mo. (AP) -- A southwest Missouri man admits he accidentally killed his ex-girlfriend's 4-month-old son when he shook the baby.

Twenty-eight-year-old Jonathan Rector pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in a plea deal after originally being charged with second-degree murder. His sentence will be limited to 15 years in prison.

During a hearing Monday in Barton County court, Rector admitted he injured Kaiden Stevens by shaking him on Feb. 17 in what he called a fit of rage. He was babysitting the boy while his mother was at work.

The Joplin Globe reports (http://bit.ly/QJCBjT ) Rector initially said the boy was hurt in a fall. But during an interview with law officers, Rector admitted to shaking the child.

Kaiden died at a Kansas City hospital three days after he was injured.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
Severe storms possible Sunday through Tuesday
Jessica Troike  |  Yesterday at 8:20 PM  |  1 comment
Thumbnail
Meta mother sentenced to prison after fatal car crash
Yesterday at 6:32 PM  |  10 comments
Thumbnail
Columbia man dead in overnight shooting
Juliette Dryer  |  Today at 3:20 PM  |  2 comments
Follow Connect Mid-Missouri
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
Relay For Life of Cole County
Friday, June 7, at 6 p.m. at the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds
Community Connection
Participate in great causes in the community!
ADVERTISEMENT