Ohio – An Ohio man was sentenced to serve twenty five to thirty one and a half years in a state correctional facility for the death of his 4-month-oId chiId, Karson, after entering a pIea deal that reduced his original murder charge to one count of invoIuntary mansIaughter and two counts of feIonious assauIt.
The investigation in Feb. when the local police department and emergency medical personnel responded to a call at the family’s residence in Ohio. They were summoned after a 911 call by the parent, 25-year-old J. Bonnito, in which he said he last checked on his baby about three hours earlier, saying ‘the baby appeared white and was unresponsive’.
Upon arrival, first responders transported the baby to a nearby hospital, but the child was later pronounced dead. Medical examiners determined the injuries were not consistent with accidental causes and signs of abuse were present. Detective statements described the incident as a “shaking baby-type incident with possibly some squezing of the baby.”
During questioning, the man admitted to physically abusing the child the day before the incident. Investigators found evidence of injuries consistent with non-accidental trauma. The child’s mother, Ema, addressed the court at the sentencing hearing, describing how their baby’s handsome smile would light up an entire room and said she felt she lost everything she found beautiful in this world.
Records show that the defendant’s plea agreement came after he was initially indicted by the county grand jury on charges including murder, child endangering and felonious assault. The plea called for the counts for which he ultimately was convicted—making the sentencing possible.
According to court documents, the father did not make a statement during the sentencing hearing. His attorney told the court that the father had accepted responsibility and shown remorse for what occurred.
The case drew attention to how quickly serious abuse of a vulnerable infant can escalate. Ohio authorities noted that the signs of trauma were inconsistent with any explanation offered for the child’s condition and led to the homicide investigation.