By Lethbridge News Now - The Canadian Press

Lethbridge man pleads guilty to lesser charge in death of girlfriend’s nine-month-old son

Dec 11, 2018 | 6:56 AM

LETHBRIDGE- A southern Alberta man charged with second-degree murder after his girlfriend’s nine-month-old son died has instead pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death.

The plea averted the trial Tyler Brian Hogan had been facing in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench in the death of Austin Wright.

A statement of facts read in court said Austin died in April 2016 after Hogan tossed him onto a pile of pillows, blankets and a foam mattress topper in an attempt to calm the child.

The pile was on a hardwood floor, and a fan, a bag of objects and an open dresser drawer were nearby.

The statement noted that it isn’t known if Austin hit any of those objects, but he did stop breathing almost immediately.

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Hogan acknowledged in the court document that his actions contributed to the baby’s death.

A sentencing hearing was set for Monday, Dec. 17.

Hogan remains free on an interim judicial release.

(The Canadian Press)