Saturday, October 27, 2012

Dad convicted in baby daughter's death (Ankeny, Iowa)

Dad is identified as RYAN TROWBRIDGE. 

In all the articles I have seen on this case going back to last December, I have never seen any mention of the baby's mother. It's as if she never existed....Is this a single dad?

http://www.kcci.com/news/central-iowa/Father-convicted-in-baby-daughter-s-death/-/9357080/17143824/-/144iu63/-/index.html

Father convicted in baby daughter's death

UPDATED 6:16 PM CDT Oct 26, 2012

DES MOINES, Iowa —

An Ankeny father was found guilty Friday morning in the death of his infant daughter.

Ryan Trowbridge, 22, now faces life in prison with no parole for the death of 4-month-old Rylee

Judge Scott Rosenberg found Trowbridge "assaulted Rylee Trowbridge by grabbing Rylee and shaking her body and or slamming her in a such a manner that a serious and critical head injury was inflicted upon her under circumstance manifesting in extreme indifference to human life."

Trowbridge opted for a bench trial, instead of a jury trial.

Prosecutor Steve Foritano said Rylee's death serve as a reminder to over-burdened parents.

"Whenever you have a baby that's crying that's a natural thing for the baby to cry," Foritano said. "If you feel yourself getting frustrated put the baby down and walk away."

Rylee died of head injuries on July 12, 2010. Trowbridge told police that he put Rylee on a bed for a nap and later found her trapped between the headboard and mattress.

Some family members ran from the courtroom crying after the verdict was announced. Trowbridge shook his head and put his head down on the table.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 6. In Iowa, a first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

"We're disappointed," said Mark Pennington, Trowbridge's attorney. "It has always been Mr. Trowbridge's position that he did not harm his child and he's been consistant in that from the outset."