A Kentucky man, Anthony Trice, 32, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of his 1-month-old son. The tragic incident occurred in May 2019 and was reportedly triggered by Trice’s frustration over losing a video game.
What Happened
According to police reports, Trice was home alone with his infant son in Louisville when he began losing in a video game. Out of frustration, he threw his controller and punched the baby. He then picked up the child in an attempt to soothe him but accidentally dropped him while walking to the kitchen to prepare a bottle... Continue reading here ▶
Trice later left the baby in a seated position and went to the bathroom. When he returned, the baby appeared to be “in distress.” At that point, Trice called 911 for help.
Aftermath
The baby was taken to a local hospital for treatment but sadly passed away. Trice was initially charged with first-degree criminal abuse of a child. After the baby’s death, the charge was upgraded to murder.
Trice initially pleaded not guilty but later entered an Alford plea to manslaughter. An Alford plea means the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence to convict them.
Sentencing
On Thursday, December 19, Trice was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Jefferson Circuit Court.
Family’s Reaction
The baby’s aunt, speaking to WLKY in 2019, explained that she and her sister, the baby’s mother, had left the child with Trice for the weekend to attend Kentucky Derby festivities. She recalled that Trice seemed excited about buying new clothes for the baby.
“We were talking about the clothes that he got and what he was about to get him,” she said. “My sister and her boyfriend weren’t arguing or anything like that.”
The baby’s grandmother, Tanjia Howlett, told WLKY that Trice called the child’s mother after dialing 911. “I’m mad,” she said in the interview. “I never thought this would happen to our family.”
Help for Child Abuse Victims
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. The hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in over 170 languages.
