Stepdad charged with 2nd-degree murder in death of 17-month-old boy (Dakota County, Wisconsin)

Stepdad TYLAR JAMES HOKANSON is charged with second degree murder in the death of his 17-month-old stepson. Stepdad admits to shaking the boy "10 to 15" times, which resulted in the boy developing fatal brain injuires. Stepdad is also the father to a newborn in the home.

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Stepfather Charged in Toddler's Beating Death
Stepfather of Toddler Who Died Arrested for Homicide

A man has been charged with murder in the death of his 17-month-old stepson.

Tylar James Hokanson, 22, faces one count of second degree, or unintentional, murder.

According to the criminal complaint, Hokanson admitted shaking Nicholas Arthur Miller 10 to 15 times. He said he shook Miller after the boy threw a fit.

On June 23, officials in Pierce County, Wis. received a 911 call reporting Miller was having trouble breathing. He was taken to a hospital where he died.

The Pierce County medical examiner discovered signs of trauma and requested an autopsy by the Ramsey County medical examiner.

The autopsy showed multiple injuries to the child, including brain injuries. Previous injuries that had healed were also found.

Since the child was from Dakota County, Pierce County sheriff's officials reached out to the Dakota County Sheriff's Department for help.

Dakota County sheriff's deputies interviewed the child's family members and arrested Hokanson Saturday.

Hokanson is married to Miller's mother, who was identified in court documents as M.L.H. They have a newborn together and M.L.H has another child, a two-year-old who shared the same father as Miller.

According to the criminal complaint, M.L.H. said that she first noticed Miller acting differently on Friday, June 19. He didn't want to eat or stand. She said he became more lethargic over the following days. He couldn't hold up his head or walk and he screamed when she repositioned him in her arms.

Hokanson and M.L.H. took the children to Hokanson's mother's home in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin on June 22.. M.L.H. reported Miller's breathing changed.

On June 23 at 5 p.m., Miller was found unresponsive. He was taken to the hospital where he died.

Hokanson is being held on $500,000 without conditions or $350,000 with conditions.