Man Gets 18-27 Years For Killing Girlfriend's Baby
CHARLOTTE (AP) - A 22-year-old Grand Ledge man has been sentenced to 18 to 27 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the killing of his ex-girlfriend's 3-month-old daughter.
Joshua Piercefield received the sentence Thursday in Eaton County Circuit Court in Charlotte. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge last month after prosecutors dropped an open murder charge in the May 2011 death.
Piercefield admits he shook Jessica Truax's daughter Olivia because he was frustrated at the baby's crying. He says he also dropped the baby on the floor of their apartment.
He was watching Olivia while her mother worked at a Wendy's restaurant.
Authorities say the infant died four days later of severe brain injuries.
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