Bothell man gets 15 years for killing infant son
August 19, 2008 · Updated 3:13 PM
REPORTER STAFF
A King County Superior Court judge has sentenced James Robert Stephen of Bothell to 15 years in prison for killing his infant son.
The sentencing occurred on Aug. 15.
The State Department of Social and Health Services reports that Stephen, 23, had a history of alleged abuse with another child, born to a different woman in 2002.
Prosecutors did not file charges in that case.
Stephen was, however, charged with second-degree murder for incidents related to the death of his 5-week-old son, Hayden White, in February.
Court documents indicate that Stephen called 9-1-1 on Jan. 18 to report that the infant was unconscious and not breathing.
Doctors discovered that the child had injuries associated with babies who have been shaken violently.
Stephen initially denied wrongdoing, but later admitted to detectives that he had handled the infant roughly, stating that he was under stress due to financial and relationship issues, according to charging papers.
White died Feb. 6 after being taken off life support.
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