WAPELLO, Iowa (AP) – A Columbus Junction man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the beating death of his 4-month-old daughter earlier this year.
The Hawk Eye reports that 21-year-old Oscar Manuel Jiminez entered the plea Friday and faces a mandatory 35 years in prison and up to 100 years when he’s sentenced on Oct. 9.
Jimenez had been charged with first-degree murder, for which he faced a life sentence. In his plea deal, that charge was reduced and a child endangerment charge was dropped.
Relatives took Marleen Jimenez to a hospital on Jan. 19, and she was found to have severe head trauma and other multiple injuries. She died Jan. 24.
Police say Jimenez began beating the girl within days of her birth.
