Dad pleads guilty to negligent homicide in death of 5-month-old son (Clarksville, Tennessee)

Dad is identified as RODNEY DEWAYNE BURTON. Notice that there is no mention of a mother in this home.

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120906/NEWS01/309060018/Clarksville-father-pleads-guilty-negligent-homicide-infant-son-s-death

Clarksville father pleads guilty to negligent homicide in infant son's death

5:12 PM, Sep 6, 2012

Written by Tavia D. Green Leaf-Chronicle

CLARKSVILLE,TENN. — A Clarksville man pleaded guilty to causing his infant son’s death in November 2011.

Rodney Dewayne Burton, 31, was charged with the Nov. 4, 2011, death of 5-month-old Rodney Dewayne Burton, Jr.

Burton pleaded guilty to the charge on Tuesday in Judge John H. Gasaway’s court. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 31.

On Nov. 4, 2011, a witness told police Burton took his son from his crib and put the infant in the bed with him and went to sleep. He was intoxicated and tested positive for THC, the ingredient found in marijuana.

When he woke up, his son was next to him dead, according to a previous report.

Burton took his son to the hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead.

Asphyxiation could not be ruled out as the cause of the baby’s death.

Criminally negligent homicide is a Class E felony punishable by 1-6 years, depending on a person’s criminal history.