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Tarentum man pleads guilty to covering up death of infant son
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A Tarentum man pleaded guilty this morning to covering up the death of his infant son.
James Victor, 52, pleaded guilty to concealing the death of a child and conspiracy before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Anthony M. Mariani.
He was sentenced to time served in jail -- about five months -- as well as one year of probation that will be transferred to mental health court.
According to a criminal complaint, Victor and the child's mother, Nicole Dull, found their 5-week-old son dead in his crib in the early morning hours of Aug. 15.
An autopsy revealed he died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
The parents feared that because they had previously had Allegheny County Office of Children, Youth & Families involved in their family that they would be blamed for his death, the complaint said.
On Aug. 17, an employee at the Avalon Motel found a note taped to a mirror in a room from the parents, explaining that the child died and that they were not ready to turn over his body.
"They unsuccessfully attempted to commit suicide," police said.
The couple was found later that day at a different motel in Butler.
The baby boy was strapped into his car carrier inside the room. Paramedics pronounced him dead.
Ms. Dull's case has been postponed until May 9 and is expected to be heard in mental health court.
First Published January 16, 2013 2:15 pm
