Father admits killing crying baby in fit of frustration

A member of the Lummi Tribe admits he killed his 6-month-old daughter in a fit of frustration, pleading guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter.

In a plea agreement this week in U.S. District Court in Seattle, Lawrence Tom, 23, told a judge he became frustrated with the baby's crying while home alone with the child and her 18-month-old sister last May. He squeezed the infant's head between his bicep and foreman, causing a traumatic brain injury.

The U.S. Attorney says the baby died from skull fractures and bleeding in the brain.

Both the prosecutor and the defense are recommending a maximum ten years in prison when Tom is sentenced March 8, 2013 by Judge Marsha Pechman.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (5)


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  • Brian Oblivion wrote...
    Ten years maximum sentence...
    ...for crushing his baby daughter's skull? He deserves a rope slung over a tree branch and put around his murdering neck.
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  • justanotheridiot wrote...
    Alarming...
    the SAVAGE nature of this crime
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bullyforyou wrote...
    heartbreaking
    and tragic. this is the kind of thing that makes me want to rush home and shower my kids with affection...terrible
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    Maybe...
    they couldn't give the guy more years because he stopped short of scalping her.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    I retract my previous statement
    That thought was a lot less funny and a lot more offensive than it sounded in my head. I apologize. On the subject, this to me is a perfect example of why people should have a license to be a parent. Maybe that way we can weed out some of these jackwagons.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }