An Oklahoma City man previously convicted of seriously injuring a 2-month-old baby has been arrested in connection with the death of a 3-month-old infant.
Brandon Lamont Ross, 26, called 9-1-1 late last week to report that his infant son was not breathing. Paramedics and other emergency personnel responded to the home and attempted to revive the baby. The infant was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
When asked what happened to his son, Ross allegedly told police that he had placed the baby in an infant swing, and then he and two other children left the home "for a short time." When he returned, he told police, he found the home "ransacked" and his son not breathing.
Leaving an infant or small child home alone is an act of neglect, whether or not the home is burglarized while the parent or guardian is away. A 3-month-old is powerless to defend himself or herself should trouble arise.
However, aside from the issue of leaving a baby home alone and the odd tale of the home being "ransacked," police had other concerns about Ross's story.
You see, Ross was charged with child abuse in 2009 and subsequently convicted of shaking a 2-month-old baby causing significant head trauma. According to court documents, Ross accompanied Donesha Wood to the emergency room with the infant, who was "limp and lethargic." Investigators said that Ross caused abusive head trauma to the baby on three separate occasions, and that the cause of her injuries on the night she was taken to the hospital was being violently shaken in an attempt to get her to stop crying.
Goode pleaded guilty in 2010 to enabling child abuse and was given a 5-year deferred sentence.
Ross pleaded guilty to a single count of child abuse and was given a 20-year sentence with all but the first 8 years suspended. He was in prison from September 2010 through July 2013, and he is to remain on probation until August 2030.
However, in light of the allegations against him, it is likely that his suspended sentence will be revoked. Ross was booked into the Oklahoma County Jail on Friday on complaints of child neglect and first degree murder by child abuse.
Child neglect (21 O.S. § 843.1) carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. First degree murder by child abuse (21 O.S. § 701.7) is punishable by a maximum of life in prison without parole.
Given his prior history, it seems unlikely that a judge will feel lenient when it comes to sentencing if Ross is ultimately convicted of the crimes of which he is accused.
