DASTARDLY DADS FROM THE ARCHIVES (Easton, Pennsylvania - 1995)

Even when you're a single dad who paid $30,000 so you could own your own baby, it's hard to put up with all that crying, don't you know. Back in 1995, custodial dad JAMES ALAN AUSTIN pleaded guilty to 3rd-degree murder for beating his crying infant, who was born to a surrogate mother.

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FATHER OF SURROGATE CHILD PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER

Chicago Tribune
From Tribune wires.
Aug 7, 1995

A bachelor who paid $30,000 to have a baby by a surrogate mother, then beat the crying infant, pleaded guilty Monday morning to third-degree murder.

James Alan Austin, a 26-year-old bank analyst, wiped away tears with his shackled hands during the hearing in Easton, Pa.

Austin could have faced a possible death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder. Instead, he faces up to 30 years in prison; no sentencing date was set.