Dad gets 10 years in death of infant son (Newberry, South Carolina)

Dad RONALD PADGETT, JR. has pleaded guilty to unlawful neglect in the death of his 7-month-old son. He had been originally charged with homicide by child abuse, but the pathologist was unable to determine whether the baby's suffocation death was intentional.

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12627797

Father gets 10 years for his role in death of infant son
Posted: Jun 10, 2010 10:02 AM CDT
Updated: Jun 10, 2010 10:02 AM CDT

NEWBERRY, SC (WIS) - A Newberry man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his part in the death of his infant son.

According to 8th Judicial Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace, Ronald Padgett, Jr. pleaded guilty to unlawful neglect and was sentenced to 10 years in prison last week. Padgett will get credit for the year he has already spent behind bars.

Padgett had originally been charged with homicide by child abuse, but a pathologist could not determine if Padgett had smothered 7 month old Isaiah Padgett accidentally or intentionally.

Police said baby Isaiah had a fractured skull and arm injuries that were anywhere from one week to two months old when the he died in May 2009.

The boy's mother, Jessica Lynn Hart, faces unlawful conduct toward a child charges because of those injuries.