Man arrested for death of infant son
NEWCASTLE, Okla. (KFOR) — A case of child abuse in McClain County led to the death of a nine-month-old baby. Hunter Smiley, 25, made his first court appearance Tuesday in a McClain County courthouse. He’s accused of killing his son.
Newcastle Police received a call April 10, 2024 of an unresponsive child at a home there. The child was quickly taken to the hospital and treated but died two days later. According to law enforcement, Smiley was with the child when police arrived at the scene. Newcastle’s chief called OSBI to start investigating.
Smiley was arrested Monday and booked for first degree murder. Tuesday, he appeared by video in front of District Judge Leah Edwards. The state requested more time to file charges in the case and Judge Edwards set an arraignment date for Thursday.
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.
Officers also found a gun on Smiley when they arrived.
Court documents also showed a “no contact” protective order was filed against Smiley but the mother later requested the order be lifted so Smiley could “be involved in the birth of the child.”
It went on to say Smiley was “currently in counseling and began counseling immediately after the incident, has never been in trouble before, and can testify to the court that he is no longer drinking alcohol or abusing any substances.”
He received a deferred sentence of 13 months probation. The probation period was set to expire in July of 2024.
Smiley will remain in jail until his next court appearance on Thursday. No bond has been set.