Dad finally pleads guilty in death of 6-week-old son (Madison, Indiana)

Dad is identified as CHRISTOPHER COY.

http://www.wlky.com/news/father-takes-plea-deal-in-death-of-6weekold-baby/25876322

Father takes plea deal in death of 6-week-old baby

UPDATED 8:06 PM EDT May 08, 2014

Suspect takes plea deal in infant son's death

MADISON, Ind. —The tragic death of a 6-week-old child in southern Indiana has been in a long court battle since 2012. But on Thursday, it suddenly came to a close.

Christopher Coy, through tears, took a plea deal, ending a 2-year-old case.

From an original plea of not guilty, the 32-year-old Coy admitted he's guilty in the death of his 6-week old son.

"He today made a factual basis in court that he failed to provide care to the child that led to the child's death," said county prosecutor Chad Lewis.

On June 7, 2012, police received a call from Coy saying his infant son, Christopher Jr., was motionless in his crib with serious injuries.

The infant was flown to Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville, where he died two days later.

Questions arose after the autopsy revealed blunt force trauma.

Then, police said Coy changed his story, saying he fell with his son while carrying him down a flight of stairs in his car seat.

"I still don't think that he deserves to spend a 24-year sentence. I know my brother and I know this was unintentional thing. It could've happened to anyone," said a relative of Coy's, who did not want to be identified.

Coy's family said they still believe it was an accident. The prosecution admitted what caused the injuries wasn't crystal clear.

"Certainly we would like to have had more time, but there were some issues with the state's case and the cause and manner of death," said Lewis.

Coy was facing two charges of neglect of a dependent, but one was dropped.

Coy pleaded guilty to the other for not providing immediate care.

The judge sentenced Coy to 24 years non-suspended.

In the state of Indiana, that means Coy has to serve at least half of his sentence.

In addition to dropping the one charge, the plea deal also included dropping a no contact order against Coy, and allow his other children, two daughters, to visit him in prison.