Dad convicted of murdering 11-month-old son, had formerly blamed the family dog (United Kingdom)

Dad is identified as MICHAEL BEAUMONT. These guys are always blaming the 2-year old or the dog or cat or something.

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/father-who-blamed-son-s-death-on-dog-convicted-of-his-murder-1-6322290

Father who blamed son’s death on dog convicted of his murder

Published on the 18 December 2013

A South Yorkshire father who claimed the family dog caused fatal injuries to his 11-month-old son has been found guilty of murder.

Michael Beaumont was convicted of killing his son, Kadan, by a jury at Sheffield Crown Court at the end of a six-week trial which finally came to a close yesterday afternoon.

During the trial, the court heard that Beaumont, 28, of Chapel Street, Hoyland, near Barnsley, claimed that Kadan was injured after being knocked over by the family’s dog, Mia.

But prosecutors asserted that his defence was a story which he had concocted to disguise the horrific injuries that he had in fact inflicted on his young son himself.

The jury was told how emergency services were called to the family home on September 28, 2011, following reports that the baby had been unwell after being knocked over by the dog the day before.

Kadan was taken to Barnsley District General Hospital for emergency medical attention and was later transferred to Sheffield Children’s Hospital where he died.

Pathologists later discovered 34 different injuries on Kadan’s body and concluded that the youngster had died as a result of a heavy impact to his head.

Kadan’s mother, teaching assistant Helen Barnes, 28, was 
also found guilty of neglect by the jury.

Both Beaumont and Barnes will be sentenced today at Sheffield Crown Court by Mr Justice Globe.

After yesterday’s verdict, Detective Chief Inspector Sean Middleton of South Yorkshire Police, who led the investigation into Kadan’s murder, said justice had been served in the face of “overwhelming” evidence.

“This is a shocking case of violence from a parent, which sadly resulted in the death of an innocent young child,” he said.

“By blaming the family dog, Beaumont attempted to cover his horrific actions, but the evidence surrounding the cause of Kadan’s death, provided by expert pathologists, was overwhelming.

“Beaumont claimed that Kadan had been knocked over by the dog the day before, however, experts concluded that Kadan had died from head injuries that were likely to have been sustained only an hour before emergency services were called.

“This has been a particularly distressing case for all concerned and hopefully the end of this trial will bring some closure to the rest of Kadan’s family.

“I would like to thank the community of Hoyland for their help and support during this investigation.”