Public Media from Michigan State University

Michigan Man Convicted in Death of 8-Month-Old Daughter

22-year-old Tatum Cole might face a charge that will land him in prison for 15 years.
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A Michigan man has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter and child abuse in the death of his 8-month-old daughter last year.

The Lansing State Journal reports (http://on.lsj.com/2rTKfx4 ) testimony at the trial of 22-year-old Tatum Cole of Lansing indicated that he was sleep-deprived and angry when he threw the infant onto a couch.

Prosecutors asked the Ingham County Circuit Court jury to convict him of first-degree felony murder and first-degree child abuse in the May 2016 death of Ava Cole, but jurors instead found him guilty of the lesser manslaughter and second-degree child abuse charges.

His lawyer Paul Toman said the trial's outcome was fair.

Officials say Ava had cerebral palsy, a heart condition and other medical problems. The manslaughter charge is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Information from: Lansing State Journal, http://www.lansingstatejournal.com

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