Verdict for father in toddler's beating, starvation death

CINCINNATI -- An Ohio man whose 2-year-old daughter weighed 13 pounds when she died of starvation and blunt-force injury has been found guilty of aggravated murder and other charges in her death and could be sentenced to the death penalty.

A Hamilton County jury deliberated about two hours Monday before finding 34-year-old Glen Bates guilty on charges of murder, aggravated murder and child endangerment in Glenara Bates’ March 2015 death.  A call to Bates’ attorney wasn’t immediately returned Monday.

Authorities say Glenara was beaten and had belt and bite marks, among other injuries. The jury will consider whether to recommend the death penalty.

Glenara’s mother, Andrea Bradley, has pleaded not guilty to the same counts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an average 2-year-old girl weighs twice what Glenara did.

Bates admitted biting and dropping the child, reports CBS affiliate WKRC, but said he was only playing. His attorney argued he didn’t intend to kill the girl and said Bates had only been in the home two weeks before the child died, so he couldn’t be responsible for long-term abuse.

Prosecutors argued Bates swung the child’s head against the wall the day before she died. They argued Bates and Bradley are equally responsible. 

The woman is due in court Thursday.