Murder charges filed following death of 9-month-old
MCCLAIN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) - Murder charges have been filed after the death of a 9-month-old baby on April 12.
According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Newcastle Police Department requested the bureau’s help on April 11, 2024, regarding a child abuse investigation.
The day before, officers responded to a home in Newcastle after receiving a call about an unresponsive 9-month-old baby. The child was quickly taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Medical staff discovered the child had internal bleeding of the brain and hemorrhaging behind the eyes. Two days later, on April 12, the child passed away.
OSBI agents spoke with the child’s father, 25-year-old Hunter Smiley, who was there when officers responded.
Previous court records showed abuse by Smiley to the child’s mother. He was arrested in January of 2023 for domestic assault and battery against a pregnant woman. He pled guilty to hitting the mother with pieces of a door he broke while in a fight after a night drinking.
The OSBI says the information gathered during the investigation led to the arrest of Smiley on April 15 and he was booked into the McClain County Jail on a First-Degree Murder charge.
“It is tragic when a life is taken so early,” says District Attorney Greg Mashburn. “We will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law to be the voice of this victim who is unable to speak for himself. Thank you to the Newcastle Police Department and the OSBI for your hard work on this case so we may seek justice for B.S.”
On April 25, Smiley was arraigned and his bond was set ay $5 million with no contact with the victim's family, according to the Cleveland County District Attorney. If bonded out, he will be required to wear an ankle monitor and have no access to weapons.
Officials say Smiley's next court date is a Preliminary Hearing Conference on May 22.