Dad goes to trial for death of 15-month-old son (Sidney, Nebraska)

Dad JEREMY R. ERICKSON is now on trial for the death of his 15-month-old son. Doctors say the little boy died of injuries sustained while under his father's care. No mention of the mother at all. Was Dad babysitting? Did he have custody or visitation? What?

http://www.suntelegraph.com/articles/2009/08/13/news/local_news/news01.txt

Jury Trial Starts For Child Abuse Suspect
By Klark Byrd kbyrd@suntelegraph.com
(Created: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 4:41 PM CDT)

SIDNEY - Jury trial began this week in Kimball County District Court for a 23-year-old Kimball man accused of causing the death of his 15-month-old son.

Presentation of evidence began Tuesday in the case of Jeremy R. Erickson, who is charged with child abuse resulting in the death of his son, Tristen. The toddler died shortly after being removed from life support Dec. 11 at an Aurora, Colo., hospital. Doctors said his death was the result of injuries he sustained while in his father’s care.

Kimball County emergency crews responded to a mobile home in Dix on Dec. 9 where they found the unresponsive child in respiratory arrest. He was airlifted to Denver Children’s Hospital.

Doctors there told authorities that all attempts to revive Tristen were unsuccessful.

Erickson was arrested by Kimball County authorities Dec. 12 and remains the sole suspect in the death of his son, authorities said.

The child abuse charge is a Class IB felony, which carries a minimum punishment of 20 years imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment.

According to Nebraska statutes, child abuse is a Class IB felony if the offense is committed knowingly and intentionally and results in the death of such child.The trial is expected to last through Aug. 17.