Crime & Safety
Wentzville Father Pleads Guilty To Child Abuse That Killed Son
Prosecutors said Robert Burnette, 19, stuck his fingers down the infant's throat and shook him in an attempt to stop him from crying.
WENTZVILLE, MO — A Wentzville man has pleaded guilty to child abuse that led to the death of his 6-week-old son, KMOX Radio reports. Prosecutors said 19-year-old Robert Burnette stuck his fingers down the infant's throat, shook him, threw him and picked him up by the neck — all in an attempt to get the baby to stop crying.
The child's 20-year-old mother is also charged with child abuse. Her trial will begin next month.
Burnette has not yet been sentenced, but could get up to 30 years in prison, the radio station reports. During a preliminary hearing, he told the judge he has Asperger's syndrome and bi-polar disorder, CBS St. Louis reported in 2016.
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Find out what's happening in Wentzvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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