A Jackson County man received a prison sentence Friday in connection with the 2024 death of a 3-month-old child.
John Tames, 26, was sentenced to 40 years for second-degree murder and 15 years to life for child abuse resulting in death. He pleaded guilty to both charges in December.
Authorities said Tames was babysitting his then-girlfriend’s 3-month-old daughter when the infant suffered severe injuries, including skeletal fractures and brain hemorrhaging.
Emergency responders were initially dispatched to the home after reports that the infant was in cardiac arrest. Crews revived the child and transported her to a local hospital, where medical staff discovered the extent of her injuries.
The infant later died. Investigators determined the injuries could only have resulted from physical abuse, which led prosecutors to upgrade the charges against Tames.
During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Tames’ attorney argued that his client had no history of violent offenses and claimed the incident would not have occurred if Tames had not been under the influence of fentanyl.
Tames offered a brief apology to the child’s family during the hearing.
The court ordered the sentences to run consecutively. The judge also issued a non-binding recommendation that Tames not be granted parole.