Spc. sentenced for fracturing skull of baby

[unhappycamper]

Spc. sentenced for fracturing skull of baby
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Dec 5, 2008 12:07:43 EST

SEARCY, Ark. — An Arkansas soldier has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the death of his infant stepson.

Patrick West pleaded guilty Wednesday in the death of 5-month old Aiden Turnage. Authorities say Aiden suffered several skull fractures after he was slammed into a railing.

West, an Army specialist on leave from the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., was arrested April 14, after he called 911 to report Aiden was not breathing. The baby died six days later at a Little Rock hospital.

Authorities say the baby’s mother, Jessica Stacy, was not at home when Aiden was injured.

West has served in Iraq. His younger brother, Spc. Bobby West, was killed May 30, 2006, in a roadside bomb explosion while serving in Baghdad. Patrick West served time in Iraq in 2005, but was sent home after his brother was killed.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/12/ap_infant_death_120508/%2e