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Sliker Pleads Guilty In Baby Death

Story Published: Jan 31, 2012 at 6:06 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jan 31, 2012 at 7:54 PM EDT

A Watertown man pleaded guilty Tuesday afternoon to second degree murder in the death of the four and a half month old baby girl he was adopting.

Appearing in Jefferson County Court, 24 year old Jeffrey Sliker admitted he threw the baby into her crib twice.

He said he knew she was hurt, but did nothing.

By the time police arrived, the child was already dead.

The incident happened March 23 last year.

The baby's birth name was Laurne Clark, but Sliker and his wife called her Mollie.

"Clearly this was an absolutely tragic, tragic situation that this child's life was taken," said District Attorney Cindy Intschert.

As he pleaded guilty, Sliker told Judge Kim Martusewicz he was upset because the baby was crying.

Martusewicz asked, "Did you lose it?"

Sliker said,  "Yes, your honor.  The crying just kind of got to me."

Sliker will likely get a sentence of 15 years to life when he's sentenced March 14.

Before he's sentenced, there will be a pre-sentencing report.

Could it include the fact that Sliker suffered a head injury while he was deployed in Afghanistan?"

Sliker was given the Purple Heart after a back injury and a concussion.

"The sentencing is up to the court and the court has the opportunity to consider a lot of information," said Intschert.

Has justice been served?

"It's very hard to say that justice is served anytime a life is taken," said Intschert.

Read our coverage from the day Sliker was arrested

here

.

Watch our interview with Sliker's brother here.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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