A Festus man who pleaded guilty Tuesday (May 17) to two felony charges in the January 2015 death of his 3-month-old son was sentenced to two 10-year consecutive terms for a total of 20 years.
Cody N. Bunch, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, a class A felony, and abuse or neglect of a child-serious emotional or physical injury, a class B felony, before Jefferson County Div. 3 Circuit Judge Nathan Stewart.
Bunch was in custody today (May 20) at the Jefferson County Jail awaiting transfer to the Missouri Department of Corrections.
“I think (the sentencing) is justified,” Festus Police Chief Tim Lewis said. “I’m glad he owned up to doing it. He initially denied it. It’s unfortunate, but it’s closure for the family. They can move on with their lives.”
According to official reports from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Festus Police responded to a call at approximately 2:15 a.m. Jan. 6, 2015, about an infant boy not breathing at the Oak Knoll Apartments. The child was transported to Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City and later flown to St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
The Sheriff’s Office joined the investigation at the request of Festus Police and learned from physicians that the baby was suffering from a brain injury caused by trauma. He died at 7:45 p.m. Jan. 10, after he was taken off life support, authorities reported.
The probable-cause statement in the case reported that Bunch initially told police Jan. 6 that the infant had been lethargic. Bunch said he got up to feed the baby at approximately 1 a.m. Jan 6, and, after the feeding, the baby suddenly gasped for air and did not respond to a nebulizer machine the father said he used to try to help the infant breathe. Bunch said the baby remained unresponsive and he woke the baby’s mother, who called 911.
Later in the investigation, the statement said, Bunch told authorities he fell with the infant in his arms and alleged the fall caused the baby’s injuries. However, physicians reported the infant’s injuries were caused by “abusive head trauma” and were not consistent with a single fall.
Assistant prosecuting attorney Marie Frances Pudlowski handled the case for the state. Bunch was represented by Dane Roper with the Public Defender’s Office.
A class A felony carries a penalty of 10 to 30 years or to life in prison; a class B felony is punishable by up to 15 years.