By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
EL RENO – A Yukon-area man is being held without bond at the Canadian County Jail after being formally charged with killing a baby.
Joshua Paul Jennings, 33, was charged Oct. 20 with first-degree murder in Canadian County District Court. If convicted, he faces death, life in prison or life in prison without parole.
Jennings is accused of hurting 10-month-old Paisley Cearley while she was in his care at an apartment near Yukon.
Assistant District Attorney Austin T. Murrey alleges Jennings caused the baby’s death “by willfully and/or maliciously injuring or using unreasonable force” and “thereby inflicting certain mortal wounds,” court records show.
Oklahoma City Police officers responded Sept. 25 to a minor emergency clinic at 520 S Mustang Road after learning the baby was brought in with critical injuries.
The infant was later taken to an area hospital where she died the next morning, according to Oklahoma City Police Master Sgt. Gary Knight.
Investigators believe the injuries to Paisley occurred at her home in the 11300 block of S.W. 5th.
Jennings is reportedly the boyfriend of the baby’s mother.
Jennings was booked into the Canadian County Jail in El Reno at 2:39 p.m. Sept. 26.
After being charged with felony first-degree murder, the defendant appeared Oct. 20 at an arraignment before District Judge Jack D. McCurdy.
A preliminary hearing conference is set for 9 a.m. Nov. 20 before Special Judge Charles Gass.
